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Lifecycle Assessment of Two Urban Water Treatment Plants of Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Shayan Jamil

    (Earthworks, Calgary, AB T3P 1B9, Canada)

  • Saimar Pervez

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila 47050, Pakistan)

  • Fiza Sarwar

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Rameesha Abid

    (Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44100, Pakistan)

  • Syed Umair Ullah Jamil

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Hassan Waseem

    (Department of Biological Sciences, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad 44310, Pakistan
    Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 0C3, Canada)

  • Kimberley A. Gilbride

    (Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 0C3, Canada)

Abstract

Water treatment technologies are striving to retain their ecological and economic viability despite the rising demand, conventional infrastructure, financial constraints, fluctuating climatic patterns, and highly stringent regulations. This study evaluates the lifecycle environmental impact of urban water treatment systems within the two densely populated South Asian municipalities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The scope of this study includes a process-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the entire water treatment system, particularly the resources and materials consumed during the operation of the treatment plant. The individual and cumulative environmental impact was assessed based on the treatment system data and an in-depth lifecycle inventory analysis. Other than the direct emissions to the environment, the electricity used for service and distribution pumping, coagulant use for floc formation, chlorine gas used for disinfection, and caustic soda used for pH stabilization were the processes identified as the most significant sources of emissions to air and water. The water distribution consumed up to 98% of energy resources. The highest global warming impacts (from 0.3 to 0.6 kg CO 2 eq./m 3 ) were assessed as being from the coagulation and distribution processes due to extensive electricity consumption. Direct discharge of the wash and wastewater to the open environment contributed approximately 0.08% of kg-N and 0.002% of kg-P to the eutrophication potential. The outcome of this study resulted in a thorough lifecycle inventory development, including possible alternatives to enhance system sustainability. A definite gap was identified in intermittent sampling at the treatment systems. However, more stringent sampling including the emissions to air can provide a better sustainability score for each unit process.

Suggested Citation

  • Shayan Jamil & Saimar Pervez & Fiza Sarwar & Rameesha Abid & Syed Umair Ullah Jamil & Hassan Waseem & Kimberley A. Gilbride, 2023. "Lifecycle Assessment of Two Urban Water Treatment Plants of Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16172-:d:1284815
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Molinos-Senante, María & Sala-Garrido, Ramón, 2017. "Energy intensity of treating drinking water: Understanding the influence of factors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 275-281.
    2. Julian Agyeman & Briony Angus, 2003. "The Role of Civic Environmentalism in the Pursuit of Sustainable Communities," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 345-363.
    3. Molinos-Senante, María & Guzmán, Catalina, 2018. "Reducing CO2 emissions from drinking water treatment plants: A shadow price approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 623-631.
    4. Rayssa Horacio Lopes & Cícera Renata Diniz Vieira Silva & Pétala Tuani Cândido de Oliveira Salvador & Ísis de Siqueira Silva & Léo Heller & Severina Alice da Costa Uchôa, 2022. "Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality Worldwide: Scoping Review Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-9, July.
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