Life Cycle Assessment as an Alternate Tool to Evaluate Wastewater Treatment Technologies

The efficacy of wastewater treatment technologies is primarily evaluated based on their ability to remove the desired contaminants. Once, the performance parameters are established, attention is paid to the economic feasibility of the field scale application of the technology. However, in the present era of awareness, a third evaluation criteria alternate to the technical feasibility and economic suitability of the treatment options, is the consideration of the environmental sustainability. The impacts of a technology application are not only limited to receiving water systems in concern to removal of contaminants present in wastewater. With a wide vision, the impacts encompass the effect of the technology on the flora and fauna, human health, and the exploitation of natural resources. This is an upcoming parameter of consideration for evaluation of new technologies as well as upgradation of existing options for wastewater treatment. One such tool is the life cycle assessment (LCA), which evaluates the impacts associated with a process/technology inclusive of the material and energy consumption and the overall emissions. Various studies have carried out LCA for lab-scale or field scale treatment technologies. LCA studies can estimate significant environmental parameters such as global warming potential, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, water consumption, land utilization, etc. This book chapter will provide views and discussion on the potential of LCA as a tool for evaluation of various wastewater treatment technologies.