?? Elevate Your Knowledge: April's Best Articles Unveiled!
Welcome to the 4th edition of the 2024 Aquatech newsletter: Watertech Insights. Read our best read articles of April.
A city of mountains: Conserving water in Monterrey, Mexico
Mexican utility Servicios de Agua y Drenaje de Monterrey (SADM) is combatting water scarcity issues in Nuevo Leon through pressure regulation and increased real-time monitoring.
Northern Mexico, particularly Nuevo Leon, contends with severe water scarcity due to factors like scant rainfall, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure. Monterrey, the region's largest city, faces increasing challenges in water provision amid a persistent drought since 2015. Eduardo Ortegon Williamson of SADM underscores the region's unique hydrological challenges, stressing the necessity for innovative solutions to address water basin limitations.
In response to the crisis, SADM shifts focus towards demand-side management, implementing pressure regulation and leak detection measures. This proactive approach not only optimizes existing water distribution systems but also exceeds commitments to the UN, extending water supply to city dams and laying groundwork for sustainable water management practices essential for the region's future.
Portable graphene sensor offers on-site PFAS detection
A portable graphene sensor that can detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) traces below the European Union threshold, has been developed, allowing for rapid on-site testing and identification of these ‘forever chemicals’.
Grapheal and the EDYTEM laboratory have developed a portable device for detecting PFAS, addressing global concerns about these persistent and toxic chemicals. Through their joint laboratory 'Fluorograph', they created a credit card-sized apparatus housing graphene sensors for on-site detection of PFAS in water. Initial tests show effectiveness in identifying perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels below regulatory thresholds. This portable and environmentally sustainable solution is valuable for regulatory bodies and field researchers, with potential applications beyond water management. Grapheal seeks industrial partners to scale up this innovative technology, marking a significant step in addressing PFAS contamination globally.
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Blue/green roofs: solving four urban problems in one solution
Blue-green roofs have the potential to solve four urban problems in one go: increased water collection and reuse; sustainable energy production; building insulation and thriving eco-systems.
Rooftops in urban areas serve diverse functions, from accommodating telecoms gear to supporting solar panels for green energy. The emergence of green roofs, adorned with low-water plants, has gained traction for its multifaceted benefits, including rainwater absorption, insulation, and urban cooling. However, their cooling efficacy is often constrained by plant suitability. Innovative projects like Urban Photosynthesis in Mannoury, Amsterdam, are pioneering blue-green roofs, integrating PV panels, water reuse, and vegetation to enhance energy production while cooling the city.
By combining stormwater harvesting with capillary irrigation, these roofs sustain vegetation even during droughts, contributing to building cooling and energy efficiency. Challenges remain, such as sourcing sufficient greywater and determining optimal treatment methods, but the potential for blue-green roofs to offer sustainable solutions in urban environments globally is promising, fostering collaboration among researchers, technology firms, architects, and city planners towards more resilient and eco-friendly cities.
Discover how blue-green roofs in Mannoury integrate solar panels and water reuse for greener cities.
In case you've missed
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for the next edition of Watertech Insights.
CEO @ Bluebee Technologies & Siveco China | Smart O&M, Industrial Risk & Asset Management
6 个月Always very insightful indeed