Publication

The NEWater team reports a new open-access study in Applied Soil Ecology that follows the effects of very low, environmentally realistic concentrations of pharmaceuticals in irrigation water across the soil–plant–insect continuum. Using a controlled zucchini–cotton aphid model, the authors combined high-resolution soil microbiome profiling with plant growth measurements and insect biology, including quantitative assays of …

Trace pharmaceuticals in irrigation quietly reshape soil pathobiome and insect symbionts Read More »

Highlights As the world faces growing water scarcity, scientists are looking for smart, sustainable ways to make every drop count. One promising solution is to reuse treated water but to do that safely and efficiently, we need reliable technologies that can clean and purify it at low cost and with minimal environmental impact. In this …

From Waste to Water: How Biochar Makes Reuse Cleaner and Greener Read More »

Hydrochar was made from sewage sludge to capture phosphates that can be reused in fertilizers.

Biochar was made from waste biomass as a sustainable, low-cost material for cleaning water.

Conducted within the framework of the PRIMA-SAFE project, a review published in Organics analyzes the occurrence, toxicity, and persistence of heterocyclic pharmaceuticals in water and soil. These widely used compounds are now recognized as critical emerging contaminants due to their resistance to degradation and potential ecological impact. Key Findings Implications The study highlights the urgent …

Heterocyclic Pharmaceuticals: A Growing Environmental Concern Read More »

Contaminants in reused water can indirectly affect agricultural pest resistance and ecosystem health.

In water-scarce Mediterranean regions, the reuse of treated wastewater for crop irrigation presents a significant opportunity to close water and nutrient loops and support resilient agriculture. However, safe reuse demands rigorous understanding of risks — including the presence of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants that may persist after treatment. A recent study published in the context …

Selecting Pharmaceuticals of Concern in Reclaimed Water for Crop Irrigation Read More »

Heterocyclic pharmaceuticals—those chemical compounds whose structure includes a ring with at least one atom other than carbon—are increasingly recognised as contaminants of emerging concern in water and soil systems. Recent reviews highlight their persistence, toxicity and the challenges posed for treatment, monitoring and safe reuse of reclaimed water. Why this is relevant for NEWater In …

Heterocyclic Pharmaceuticals: A Growing Environmental Concern Read More »

Understanding how pharmaceuticals behave in treated wastewater is essential for ensuring that reclaimed water can be safely reused in agriculture and other applications. Within the NEWater project, this research forms a cornerstone of our mission to create safe, natural-based, and low-energy water-reuse systems tailored to Mediterranean and semi-arid environments. Investigating pharmaceuticals in reclaimed water Pharmaceutical …

Advancing Research on Pharmaceuticals in Reclaimed Water Read More »