Biogas technology has brought benefits to health, the environment, the economy and energy conservation. Vast biomass resources, including organic waste, have the potential for use as feedstock for biogas production in China. This paper presents the development status of biogas application in...

Proper design and quality of soil play an important role in the functioning of soil-based septic systems. Septic systems with traditional leach fields are not suitable for treatment of domestic wastewater in Ohio due to shallow soils. Along with other adverse health effects, untreated or...

While much of the desalination activity in the U.S is concentrated in southern and western states, the last decade has seen an unlikely location emerge for desalination – the Northeast. With precipitation often exceeding evapotranspiration, the Northeast generally maintains abundant surface...

Desalination may provide a reliable supply of water to a city with chronic water shortage, but it is hardly the best option for more than one reason. Alternatives such as reuse of treated waste water can address the twin problems of water supply and waste discharge. Moreover, desalination only...

Overflows in the sanitary sewer systems due to factors such as pipe blockages and insufficient capacity are termed sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The USEPA estimates that 23,000-75,000 SSOs occur every year nationally in the United States. SSOs are largely monitored by state governments and...

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) serve 20 to 25 percent of the households in the U.S., and large parts of rural Canada, Australia and Europe. Urbanization and newer environmental standards are leading many communities that currently rely on OWTS to think of alternatives. We study this...

Urban India is struggling to provide adequate water and sanitation services to its citizens. Open defecation, insufficient wastewater treatment, and mixing of untreated wastewater with stormwater and drinking water supplies are contributing to a severe health and economic crisis. Recent...

Public provision of water and wastewater services in urban India has been a noteworthy failure. Open defecation, mixing of untreated wastewater with stormwater and drinking water supplies, and unreliable water services have added up to a severe health and economic crisis. Recent government...

Water infrastructure in the United States is aging. Budgetary constraints of federal, state and local governments have resulted in the delay or deferral of critically needed investments. Infrastructure failures such as water main breaks are a daily occurrence in many cities across the U.S....

Water infrastructure in the United States is aging and vulnerable to extreme weather. In August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene hit the eastern part of New York and surrounding states, causing great damage to public drinking water systems. Several water supply districts issued boil water advisories...