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The Role of Wastewater Treatment Strategy for Enhancing Energy and Circular Economy in a Residential Building

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Listed:
  • Abdulaziz Almalki

    (Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hassan Alkhalaf

    (Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ibrahem Namazi

    (Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdullah Qahtani

    (Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Salah Alghamdi

    (Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Water scarcity and energy consumption are two pressing global challenges, especially in arid regions, that require sustainable solutions in line with circular economic principles. This study investigates the feasibility of greywater recycling systems for a 10-floor residential building housing 425 occupants by optimizing non-potable water demand and energy consumption. The grey-box modeling approach and energy balance optimization analysis are used to identify effective practices for implementing greywater recycling through the evaluation of environmental and economic effects on the performance of residential buildings. The findings are that there are 18% and 40% savings in water and energy, respectively, with greywater recycling systems. The research concludes that maximum treatment and recovery efficiencies significantly enhance the performance of the systems. Thus, there are 2.25 million kWh of annual energy savings that can repay itself in 4.42 years, as well as savings in the long-term consequences. These findings contribute further to achieving the UN-SDGs on Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7). This study contributes to a better understanding of optimizing greywater recycling systems that are practical and scalable for residential use and promote sustainable urban development with minimal environmental impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdulaziz Almalki & Hassan Alkhalaf & Ibrahem Namazi & Abdullah Qahtani & Salah Alghamdi, 2025. "The Role of Wastewater Treatment Strategy for Enhancing Energy and Circular Economy in a Residential Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2868-:d:1668783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marwa M. Waly & Slobodan B. Mickovski & Craig Thomson, 2023. "Application of Circular Economy in Oil and Gas Produced Water Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Chandra Mouli R. Madhuranthakam & Malak AbuZaid & Omar Chaalal & Tala Ghannam, 2023. "Sustainable Water Management with Design and Economic Evaluation of Recycling Greywater at Abu Dhabi University—A Case Study on Decentralization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    4. Sabina Kordana-Obuch & Mariusz Starzec & Michał Wojtoń & Daniel Słyś, 2023. "Greywater as a Future Sustainable Energy and Water Source: Bibliometric Mapping of Current Knowledge and Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-34, January.
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