Membranes and the water cycle: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Membrane technology for the water cycle has been around for about 50 years and is taking an increasingly important role in the provision of safe water supply and treatment and reuse of wastewater. It is timely to examine the challenges and the future of the technology. The challenges are both technical and socio-political and they provide the drivers for new developments. This paper summarizes the status of membranes in the water industry and discusses the major challenges and possible responses that will determine the possible futures. © 2011 The Author(s).