A new generation of integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) systems, merging the biofilm of the root zone from aquatic plants into the activated sludgeprocess, has increasingly gained attention in recent years as a potential alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems. However, there is a lack of understanding of the broader environmental impact of this emerging technology and how it compares to traditional concepts of wastewater treatment. In this research, we address this gap by conducting a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with three reference scenarios, based on design simulations in seven midpoint impact categories. The entire novel wastewater treatment system at a small to medium-sized brewery in the Netherlands, including sludge disposal, resulted in net values of 29.2 MJ, 1.9 kg CO2-eq., 3.4 g  OX-eq., 0.1 mg CFC11- eq., 4.0 g SO2-eq., 0.3 g P-eq., and 1.9 N-eq. per m3 wastewater treated, under categories CED, GWP, POFP, ODP, TAP, FEP, and MEP, respectively. Compared to aerated SBR systems, the new system demonstrated higher environmental burdens in CED (120%), GWP (122%), POFP (125%), ODP (123%), and TAP (133%). This study provides evidence that these impacts on the environment mainly depend on the technology’s current electricity demand, while additional improvements can also be achieved by lowering the chemical and nutrient demand of the system. The comparison to a potential anaerobic treatment opportunity for the brewery wastewater with an EGSB reactor, exacerbated the previously identified shortcomings of the new technology, since the crediting of biogas allowed a complete offset of the total environmental impact measured by the GWP, CED, and ODP. Our findings suggest that additional water recovery concepts with subsequent nanofiltration systems, aimed at preserving natural water resources, may offer no competitive advantage for the GWP, CED, POFP, OPD, and TAP, if the electricity demand (1.17 kWh per provided m3 reused water) surpasses the benefit of water reuse. However, it is important to note that the new technologies provide their own set of benefits, such as a reduced impact on freshwater and marine eutrophication, due to the high  nutrient uptake capability. Our research provides implications for practitioners and researchers seeking to understand the environmental impact associated with plant root equipped IFAS, while implicit design assumptions may limit the ability to generalise findings on real-world scenarios.

In the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 (H2020) project NextGen, 24 technologies related to circular economy in the water sector were investigated at 10 case studies distributed across Europe. The technologies are involved in water management and recovery, material recovery and energy recovery. In this context, a database containing information and data referring to those technologies was developed. The database is called technology evidence base (TEB), is open access and hosted by Water Europe as part of the Marketplace (https://mp.watereurope.eu/).

As a potential solution to better use water-embedded resources, the transition to circular water systems and services requires technology-focused approaches that can enhance a positive reception by organizations in the public, business and government sectors. NextGen focuses on water, energy and nutrients/material cycles in the water and wastewater sector to make them economically and environmentally attractive. This report addresses new approaches and best practices for closing the energy cycle in the water sector. Five NextGen case studies developed and demonstrated a wide range of innovative energy recovery technologies/approaches: Athens (EL), Filton Airfield (UK), Braunschweig (DE), Spernal (UK) and Westland (NL).

This Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of how water, energy and food are interconnected, comprising a coherent system: the nexus. It considers the interlinkages between natural resources, governance processes seeking coherence among water, energy and food policies, and the adoption of transdisciplinary approaches in the field.

With contributions covering a broad range of disciplinary perspectives and cross-cutting themes, the Handbook has a well-balanced mix of conceptual chapters and empirical studies. It includes a state-of-the-art analysis of the concepts and experiences in implementing the nexus in different policy environments, providing examples of successful integrated decision-making across the domains of water, energy and food. Offering a global perspective on water, energy and food security, the Handbook contains insights into achieving both national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Chapters further highlight how to understand the concepts of the nexus in practice, impacts of the nexus in governance, policy and business, and methods and tools to strengthen the nexus.

Interdisciplinary and thorough, this Handbook will be critical reading for environmental management, public policy and human geography scholars. It will also be a useful tool for policymakers looking for successful examples of policy coherence towards an integrated management of water, energy and food resources.

NextGen aims to boost sustainability and bring new market dynamics throughout the water cycle at the 10 demo cases and beyond. Main objective of WP1 of the project is to provide evidence to demonstrate the feasibility of innovative technological solutions supporting a circular economy transition in the water sector. Through activities to close the water, energy and materials cycles in 10 demo cases, Work package 1 (WP1) will provide the necessary data to assess the benefits and drawbacks of the technologies (WP2), but also to provide evidence to convince stakeholders on their implementation (WP3), while overcoming the social and governance barriers and creating new business models to promote the implementation of those solutions (WP5 & WP6). This report describes the baseline conditions of each of the sites involved in the project considering water, energy and material cycles. The baseline of the 10 sites (Altenrhein, Athens, Braunschweig, Bucharest, Costa Brava, Filton Airfield, Gotland, La Trappe, Spernal and Westland region) will be used at the end of the project so to define the improvement and/or drawbacks and benefits associated to the implementation of the NextGen solutions. This report corresponds to the first deliverable of the WP1, envisaged for June 2019, and complements the information collected for milestone MS3 on Methodology and specific objectives defined for each case study. All the information of this report has been collected by the Cross-cutting Technology Group (CTG) Leaders since July 2018 through regular discussions with the different case study representatives and through different templates that have been prepared and compiled. Baseline of each case study has been defined for each of the nexus of NextGen project using key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to water, energy and materials. Potential interlinkages between case studies are also described in this document, aiming at increasing the uptake and impact of the NextGen solutions.