TY - JOUR
T1 - Maximizing eco-environmental gains
T2 - Exploring underground wastewater treatment plants in Beijing for sustainable urban water management
AU - Zhang, Lujing
AU - Hu, Yuchen
AU - Li, Peng
AU - Wei, Renke
AU - Pang, Hongtao
AU - de Kreuk, Merle
AU - Qu, Shen
AU - Lam, Ka Leung
AU - van der Meer, Walter
AU - Liu, Gang
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This study assessed the evolution of wastewater systems during the rapid urbanization of Beijing, with special focuses on the carbon footprints and growing underground WWTPs (u-WWTPs). Specifically, the Bishui plant (in situ constructed u-WWTP) was assessed in detail regarding eco-environmental benefits. Our results showed that, the direct emission intensity of 65 WWTPs decreased from 0.47 to 0.24 kg CO2eq/m3, when the electricity intensity increased from 0.22 to 0.39 kWh/m3 from 2010 to 2020. Bishui u-WWTP emitted 36.6 kt CO2eq/year (0.09 kg CO2eq/m3), with electricity intensity of 0.43 kg CO2eq/m3. Additionally, compare to the hypothetical relocating scenario, it saved 6.67 × 104 m2 land and 33.0 kt CO2eq/year, and the created urban river carries 6.5 × 1013 J/year heat outside town. The evaluation and balance of choice for conventional or underground WWTP should be made case by case. However, this study demonstrated that u-WWTP is not only a construction manner, but a sustainable management model with positive eco-environment effects, algin with future city expansion, and circular economy visions.
AB - This study assessed the evolution of wastewater systems during the rapid urbanization of Beijing, with special focuses on the carbon footprints and growing underground WWTPs (u-WWTPs). Specifically, the Bishui plant (in situ constructed u-WWTP) was assessed in detail regarding eco-environmental benefits. Our results showed that, the direct emission intensity of 65 WWTPs decreased from 0.47 to 0.24 kg CO2eq/m3, when the electricity intensity increased from 0.22 to 0.39 kWh/m3 from 2010 to 2020. Bishui u-WWTP emitted 36.6 kt CO2eq/year (0.09 kg CO2eq/m3), with electricity intensity of 0.43 kg CO2eq/m3. Additionally, compare to the hypothetical relocating scenario, it saved 6.67 × 104 m2 land and 33.0 kt CO2eq/year, and the created urban river carries 6.5 × 1013 J/year heat outside town. The evaluation and balance of choice for conventional or underground WWTP should be made case by case. However, this study demonstrated that u-WWTP is not only a construction manner, but a sustainable management model with positive eco-environment effects, algin with future city expansion, and circular economy visions.
KW - Carbon emission reduction
KW - City expansion
KW - In situ sinking
KW - Underground wastewater treatment plant
KW - Wastewater management system
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85193248054&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107698
DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107698
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85193248054
SN - 0921-3449
VL - 207
JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
M1 - 107698
ER -
