Kartik Chandran, professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia University and a global leader in sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery, opened his lecture at the 17th IWA Small Water and Wastewater Systems and 9th IWA Resource Oriented Sanitation Conferences by emphasizing the importance of adopting a systemic approach to water treatment and reuse. This approach, he explained, considers the multiple dimensions that impact public health and the environment. "Water quality is not limited to what we consume directly. Good-quality water must also be used for cleaning utensils involved in food preparation, in the bathrooms we use, and for the animals we will later consume," Chandran pointed out. "Water must be treated comprehensively—not just for direct consumption, but for every stage of a process that involves public health, food production, and environmental well-being," he added.
The use of innovative engineering was one of the key topics highlighted by Chandran. He explained how water resources can be recovered from residues found in streams through the collection of water and waste often discarded without proper assessment of their reuse potential. Chandran emphasized that while water treatment technology continues to evolve, even the simplest solutions generate a considerable amount of reusable waste that can be applied to various fields, such as agriculture or energy production.
He also underscored the high costs associated with the lack of water treatment, particularly in countries like India. "The Indian government, for example, faces billions in financial losses due to poor water resource management and a lack of infrastructure for sewage and drinking water treatment. This reality urgently calls for a reassessment of public policies and investments in sustainable and effective water management and sanitation solutions," he noted.
Near the conclusion of his lecture, Chandran stressed that water treatment and basic sanitation should not be seen solely in terms of the quantity of water required for consumption but as part of an integrated strategy involving public health. According to him, inadequate water treatment practices can result in severe health problems, such as waterborne diseases, while also compromising food security and environmental safety for entire communities. "Technological advances in sanitation and water treatment are meaningless if they do not reach the most vulnerable populations. The true benefits of studies and innovations in this field are only realized when these technologies are accessible, effective, and inclusive. Otherwise, all progress can be considered incomplete since the ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone, especially the most disadvantaged, has access to the basics for human dignity and public health," Chandran concluded.
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