Global prospects for safe wastewater reuse through aquaculture

Abstract

Given the parlous provision of basic sanitation and wastewater treatment globally, the rationale for safe wastewater reuse through aquaculture is presented. Wastewater-fed aquaculture-related responses to counteract negative driving forces, pressures and impacts associated with inadequate sanitation and wastewater treatment and to enhance the state of systems are systematically reviewed with the DPSIR framework. Prospects for a rational design-based approach to safe wastewater reuse using treatment lagoons are discussed. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) assessment is presented concerning the future development of safe wastewater reuse through aquaculture. Specific opportunities for value addition to products through cutting-edge biorefinery approaches are reviewed, and the need for appropriate hazard barriers is highlighted. Conditions required to support and promote safe wastewater-fed aquaculture are assessed using the STEPS (Social, Technical, Environmental, Political/Institutional and Sustainability) framework. It is concluded that reuse using intermediaries and biorefinery approaches holds great promise. Widespread adoption of wastewater reuse through aquaculture could contribute to achieving targets specified for sanitation and safe wastewater reuse by 2030 in accordance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.