Publication – NEWater

Trace pharmaceuticals in irrigation quietly reshape soil pathobiome and insect symbionts

NEWater management — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:58:15 +0000

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 aphid endosymbionts. The central signal is subtle but consistent: overall soil diversity remains broadly stable, yet community composition shifts toward genera associated with opportunistic pathogenicity, while aphids feeding on treated plants show a marked reduction in beneficial endosymbionts even when survival and fecundity appear unchanged. These findings point to an ecological reconfiguration that standard growth-only endpoints would miss, highlighting the value of coupling microbial, agronomic, and cross-trophic indicators in water-reuse safety assessments.

Why this matters

As regions scale up circular water strategies, decision makers need early indicators that reveal biological change before visible agronomic impacts. The study suggests that trace pharmaceutical mixtures can quietly reorganize the below-ground community and alter insect microbial partnerships without triggering immediate yield penalties. Monitoring palettes that include soil pathobiome composition, conservative antibiotic-resistance proxies, and insect symbiont status can provide earlier and more actionable signals than bulk chemistry alone. For NEWater, this evidence strengthens the case for risk-aware reuse frameworks that are practical for operators yet sensitive to low-level ecological change, ensuring reclaimed water remains safe and beneficial in real agricultural contexts.

Study overview

The experimental design mimicked routine irrigation with a realistic mixture of commonly detected pharmaceuticals at very low concentrations. Plants were grown under controlled conditions to isolate treatment effects, soils were profiled through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to capture community structure, and a widely used genetic marker was tracked as a proxy for antibiotic-resistance selection. Plant biomass and leaf number were measured alongside aphid performance across generations, and aphid endosymbionts were quantified to reveal internal microbial responses. Taken together, these layers show that community composition can drift toward taxa of concern while classical resistance markers and crop performance remain steady, and that insect symbionts provide a sensitive readout of plant-mediated exposure.

Implications for safe reuse

Utilities and farmers adopting reclaimed water can use these insights to refine monitoring and treatment choices. If early microbiome signals indicate a drift in the soil pathobiome or a decline in beneficial insect symbionts, operators can adjust polishing steps or operational parameters before agronomic performance deteriorates. Integrating microbiome composition, sentinel resistance markers, and cross-trophic indicators into routine surveillance will improve the precision of risk management while keeping costs and logistics realistic for Mediterranean agroecosystems and beyond.

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

NEWater management — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:43:14 +0000

Highlights

Demonstration of a down-flow fixed-bed configuration using biochar derived from waste biomass, offering a low-cost, sustainable sorbent for water reuse.
Optimisation of bed design and operating conditions: flow regime, contact time, breakthrough curves, regeneration effectiveness.
Multiple regeneration cycles showing sustained adsorption capacity – reinforcing the concept of reusability and circular-economy rationality.
Techno-economic evaluation showing favourable cost-benefit metrics when deployed in a water reuse scenario, supporting the scale-up potential.
Contribution to the broader water-energy-food nexus by emphasising how treatment technologies can integrate re-used water streams safely and economically.

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 study, researchers explored how biochar, a carbon-rich material made from waste biomass, can be used in fixed-bed adsorption systems to remove contaminants from water. Picture a column filled with biochar through which water flows down like a natural filter that captures pollutants as water passes through.

The team tested how design factors such as flow rate, bed height, and contact time affect performance, and they also evaluated whether the biochar could be reused multiple times without losing efficiency. The results were impressive: the system maintained strong cleaning capacity even after several regeneration cycles, proving that biochar can be both effective and sustainable.

To take it a step further, the study also included a techno-economic analysis showing that this approach isn’t just environmentally sound, but also cost-competitive compared to conventional water-treatment systems.

By transforming agricultural or forestry residues into a valuable material for water purification, this research perfectly embodies the circular economy: turning waste into a resource, and helping communities move closer to a future where safe, affordable water reuse is a practical reality.

Relevance to the NEWater Project

The NEWater project promotes safe, sustainable, and resource-efficient water reuse as part of the transition to a circular water economy. This publication directly supports that mission by providing experimental and economic evidence for a green treatment technology based on renewable, waste-derived materials.

Biochar-based filtration aligns with NEWater’s focus on integrating environmental, technical, and economic sustainability into water-reuse systems. It offers a scalable and eco-friendly solution for purifying reclaimed water in agriculture, industry, or community applications, helping ensure that reuse not only conserves water but also reduces waste and emissions.

Read the full article

ScienceDirect – Separation and Purification Technology (2025)

Turning Sewage Sludge into a Super Sponge: Capturing Phosphates with Advanced Hydrochar

NEWater management — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:40:10 +0000

Highlights

Turning waste into value: The material used in this study was made from sewage sludge, giving new life to a common waste product.
A “super sponge” for clean water: The enhanced hydrochar efficiently captures phosphates, nutrients that can pollute water if left untreated.
Closing the nutrient loop: Instead of being lost to the environment, the captured phosphorus can be reused in fertilizers, supporting sustainable agriculture.
Protecting ecosystems: Reducing phosphorus discharge helps prevent algal blooms and water-quality deterioration in rivers and lakes.
Innovation in action: By combining nanotechnology and circular-economy principles, this study demonstrates how science can make water reuse cleaner and greener.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living things and a key ingredient in fertilizers that help crops grow. But when too much phosphorus ends up in rivers and lakes, it can cause serious environmental problems, like harmful algal blooms and oxygen loss in aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, phosphorus is a finite resource, so recovering it from waste streams is an important step toward sustainability.

In this study, researchers developed an innovative hydrochar material, a carbon-rich substance made from sewage sludge, and enhanced it with bimetallic oxide nanoparticles to create a powerful new adsorbent. Think of it like a super sponge that captures phosphorus from wastewater before it reaches the environment.

The results were remarkable: this engineered hydrochar efficiently removed phosphate from water, while transforming a waste material into a valuable product for resource recovery. It’s a win-win for both the environment and the circular economy — cleaning water while reclaiming nutrients that can be reused in agriculture.

This work shows how science and circular thinking can go hand in hand: turning waste into useful materials, protecting water quality, and reducing our dependence on mined resources.

Relevance to the NEWater Project

Within the scope of the NEWater project’s mission to promote safe, efficient and circular water reuse, this research is highly relevant. It connects several of our key themes: water treatment, resource recovery, reuse of waste streams, and closing nutrient loops.

By demonstrating how advanced materials can help recover valuable nutrients from water while protecting ecosystems, this study supports the move from linear “take-use-dispose” systems toward integrated, circular ones. In future NEWater activities (whether agricultural reuse, industrial process water reuse, or wastewater valorisation) approaches like this one may underpin the technology toolkit we promote for deployment.

Read the full article

ScienceDirect – Separation and Purification Technology (2025)

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

NEWater management — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:27:40 +0000

Highlights

Turning waste into resource: The study uses biochar made from waste biomass as a sustainable, low-cost material for cleaning water.
Efficient and reusable system: The biochar fixed-bed column effectively removes pollutants from water and maintains performance over multiple reuse cycles.
Optimised for performance: Researchers fine-tuned operational conditions such as flow rate, contact time, and bed height to maximise adsorption efficiency.
Economically and environmentally sound: A techno-economic evaluation showed that biochar systems are both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable for water reuse applications.
Advancing the circular water economy: By integrating waste valorisation with water treatment, the study supports NEWater’s mission to promote safe, efficient, and circular water reuse solutions.

Relevance to the NEWater Project

Read the full article

ScienceDirect – Separation and Purification Technology (2025)

Heterocyclic Pharmaceuticals: A Growing Environmental Concern

NEWater management — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:05:00 +0000

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

Heterocyclic compounds, which constitute over 90% of newly developed drugs, are persistent and often detected in surface and groundwater, sometimes at concentrations as high as 11,000 ng/L.
These compounds can cause neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption in both humans and wildlife.
Their high solubility and stability allow them to accumulate in the environment, even at low concentrations.
Conventional wastewater treatments are largely ineffective; advanced oxidation processes, membrane filtration, bioremediation, and adsorption techniques show greater potential for removal.

Implications

The study highlights the urgent need for new regulatory frameworks and innovative treatment solutions to prevent the environmental and health hazards associated with heterocyclic pharmaceuticals. It also stresses the importance of adopting a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnection between environmental, human, and animal health.

Reference

Baaloudj O., Scrano L., Bufo S.A., Modley L.-A.S., Lelario F., Zizzamia A.R., Emanuele L., Brienza M. (2025).
Environmental Fate, Ecotoxicity, and Remediation of Heterocyclic Pharmaceuticals as Emerging Contaminants: A Review of Long-Term Risks and Impacts.
Organics, 6(1), 1.
DOI: 10.3390/org6010001

Safe to Reuse? What Our Study Reveals About Chemicals in Irrigation Water

NEWater management — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:56:15 +0000

Highlights

Chemical footprint in irrigation reuse: Fipronil residues were detected in zucchini leaves after 35 days of irrigation with contaminated water.
Impact on crop-pest dynamics: Aphids feeding on those plants showed lower reproduction but increased tolerance to natural insecticides.
Ecological ripple effects: The research highlights how contaminants in reused water can indirectly affect agricultural pest resistance and ecosystem health.
Scientific basis for safer reuse: Provides evidence supporting the inclusion of pesticide and contaminant screening in reclaimed-water quality monitoring frameworks.

As water scarcity grows, the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation is becoming an increasingly vital strategy for sustainable agriculture. However, reclaimed water may still carry trace contaminants that can move through the food chain in unexpected ways.

This NEWater-related study explores what happens when zucchini plants are irrigated with water contaminated by fipronil, which is a common but persistent insecticide. The researchers monitored both plant accumulation and the responses of Aphis gossypii, a major pest that feeds on zucchini.

The results reveal that even low levels of fipronil can accumulate in plant tissues over time and alter pest behavior and resistance. Aphids feeding on contaminated plants experienced reduced survival and reproduction but, paradoxically, also developed higher resistance to natural insecticides.

These findings shed light on the complex, sometimes counterintuitive, effects of emerging contaminants in reused water with implications that extend beyond crop safety to ecosystem balance and pest management.

Relevance to the NEWater Project

NEWater promotes innovative and safe approaches to water reuse within the Food–Energy–Water Nexus. This publication supports NEWater’s goals by deepening the understanding of chemical-ecological interactions in reclaimed-water irrigation systems.

It underscores the importance of integrating emerging contaminant monitoring, plant-uptake assessment, and ecotoxicological evaluation into the design of future reuse strategies — ensuring that circular water use remains both sustainable and safe.

Read the full article

ScienceDirect – Journal of Environmental Sciences (2025)

Selecting Pharmaceuticals of Concern in Reclaimed Water for Crop Irrigation

NEWater management — Tue, 27 May 2025 16:09:53 +0000

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 of the PRIMA‑SAFE initiative (part of the broader NEWater framework) conducted a systematic prioritisation of pharmaceuticals of concern (PhACs) when reclaimed water is used for irrigation.

Key findings

Starting from 148 pharmaceutical compounds identified in secondary effluents, 47 were selected as priority PhACs based on occurrence, persistence, bio-accumulation potential and toxicity (OPBT scoring).
Of these, six compounds (e.g., iopromide, azithromycin, ibuprofen) showed hazard quotients (HQ ≥1) for soil organisms — indicating potential risk to the soil ecosystem.
Twenty-two compounds were predicted to be taken up by crops (lettuce and tomato) based on physicochemical parameters and uptake modelling.
Importantly: although some compounds were detected in edible parts of crops (e.g., diclofenac, carbamazepine, fluoxetine), the human-dietary risk (for both adults and toddlers) was judged negligible in the studied scenario.

Relevance for NEWater

This work directly supports the NEWater objective of deploying natural‐based, low‐energy water-reuse systems by:

Guiding which PhACs to monitor in irrigation schemes at NEWater pilot sites.
Informing the design of polishing steps (e.g., soil‐filters, constructed wetlands, adsorption media) needed when treated water still contains priority PhACs.
Feeding into WP5 modelling and sustainability assessments (process performance, cost/risk trade-offs) by providing realistic contaminant-risk parameters.
Helping tailor site‐specific reuse frameworks that integrate water quality, agronomic productivity and ecosystem safety.

Reference

Castaño-Trias M., Rodríguez-Mozaz S., Verlicchi P., Buttiglieri G. (2024).
Selection of pharmaceuticals of concern in reclaimed water for crop irrigation in the Mediterranean area.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 466, 133538.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133538

Heterocyclic Pharmaceuticals: A Growing Environmental Concern

NEWater management — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:46:48 +0000

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 the Mediterranean and semi-arid agricultural regions addressed by NEWater, the reuse of treated wastewater for crop irrigation and other non-potable applications presents an opportunity to save freshwater and recover nutrients. At the same time, ensuring such reuse is safe means we must account for “hard-to-remove” contaminants such as heterocyclic pharmaceuticals.
These compounds add complexity to the design of our low-energy, nature-based or hybrid treatment trains, because:

They often resist conventional secondary treatment and can persist in effluents.
Their presence may require additional polishing steps, such as adsorption, soil-filtering or constructed wetland units, which must be evaluated from a techno-economic and risk-perspective (linked to NEWater’s modelling & sustainability work).
They pose potential risks to soil fauna, crop uptake, groundwater infiltration and hence to the overall sustainability and acceptability of reuse solutions.

Key technical challenges

Persistence and pathways: Heterocyclic structures often degrade slowly, sorb to soils or sediments, or are transformed into metabolites that may still be active. sciencedirect.com
Monitoring and prioritisation: Identifying which heterocyclic pharmaceuticals are most relevant for irrigation reuse sites (occurrence, toxicity, mobility) is a prerequisite for designing effective control measures.
Polishing treatment design: For NEWater’s natural-based/low-energy systems to meet safety thresholds, we must test whether additional polishing is required for heterocyclic pharmaceuticals and under what conditions (soil type, crop, climate).
Integration into decision-support: The modelling and sustainability tool-chain in NEWater must include removal efficiencies, cost impacts and risk metrics specific to heterocyclic pharmaceuticals in reuse scenarios.

Implications and next steps for NEWater

Our outreach and stakeholder engagement will emphasise the need for monitoring and safe reuse criteria that account for emerging contaminants such as heterocyclic pharmaceuticals in reclaimed water.
Our sampling campaigns at the pilot sites will now include targeted analyses of heterocyclic pharmaceutical compounds in addition to the priority pharmaceuticals already selected.
The design of polishing units will test materials and nature-based systems (biochar, volcanic ash, constructed wetland beds) for their capacity to remove heterocyclic pharmaceuticals under irrigation reuse conditions.
Data on removal rates, cost, energy use and residual concentrations will be fed into WP5 (Modelling, Social & Economic Benefit) to provide realistic treatment-chain scenarios for reuse across Mediterranean agroecosystems.

Reference

Advancing Research on Pharmaceuticals in Reclaimed Water

NEWater management — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 17:44:30 +0000

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 residues often persist through conventional wastewater treatment and can reach soils, crops, and water bodies when effluents are reused for irrigation. NEWater researchers are studying these contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) to:

Identify the most relevant compounds for monitoring in reuse schemes.
Understand how they move and transform through treatment processes and soil–plant systems.
Evaluate their potential risks to soil organisms, crops, and human health.
Develop nature-based and hybrid solutions (such as adsorption, wetlands, and filtration systems) capable of reducing their concentrations effectively.

Linking science and sustainability

The experimental data generated feed directly into NEWater’s sustainability framework (WP5 – Modelling, Social & Economic Benefit). Using these results, researchers can simulate how different treatment configurations affect removal efficiency, operational cost, and overall environmental footprint.
This integrated approach allows NEWater to design water-reuse systems that are scientifically sound, economically feasible, and socially acceptable.

Towards safe and circular water use

By deepening our understanding of pharmaceuticals in reclaimed water, NEWater supports the creation of reliable, circular water-reuse models. These systems not only reduce freshwater dependence but also contribute to nutrient recovery, green hydrogen production, and low-carbon agricultural practices across the Mediterranean basin.