The scientific community and the World Health Organization have raised alarms about pharmaceutical pollutants, particularly antibiotics, which contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These resistant strains pose significant challenges for treatment and public health.
To combat this problem, the European Life Genesys project is spearheading a cutting-edge wastewater treatment initiative at the Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí in Sabadell. This project focuses on decentralized treatment methods to efficiently remove drugs, resistance genes, and resistant bacteria directly at the source, ensuring that hospital effluents do not compromise aquatic systems.
The innovative treatment system works by integrating advanced filtration and biochemical processes that target and neutralize contaminants in wastewater. Specifically, the system employs techniques such as membrane bioreactors, which enhance the separation of bacteria and pharmaceutical compounds, and biofiltration, where microorganisms break down pollutants naturally. This multi-step approach ensures a high level of purification, enabling the treated water to be safely discharged into the environment.
Furthermore, Life Genesys will develop a digital platform for early detection of antibiotic resistance risks based on data collected from the city’s sanitation network. This tool will allow healthcare professionals to monitor antibiotic levels in hospital discharges, facilitating informed prescription practices.
Funded by the European Union’s Life 2023 program for the Environment and Climate Action, the project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including Cetaqua, Aigües Sabadell CASSA, Apria Systems, Labaqua, and the Institut d’Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT).
As highlighted by Òscar Quijada, a researcher at Parc Taulí, this collaboration integrates diverse expertise across biological waste management, infection control, drainage systems, and innovative water treatment, aimed at launching a pilot solution.
The innovative approach of Life Genesys not only seeks to mitigate the immediate impacts of antibiotic pollution but also aligns with the EU’s objectives for developing effective strategies against antibiotic resistance, promoting decentralized and efficient solutions in healthcare.
Article written by Tecnoaqua
25/09/2024
Source:
Tecno Aqua
https://www.tecnoaqua.es/noticias/20240925/cetaqua-proyecto-genesys-depuracion-antibioticos-hospitales