Topic: Water and Wastewater Emissions: Advances and Challenges

Water systems, encompassing drinking water treatment, distribution, and wastewater treatment, play a crucial role in public health and environmental sustainability. However, the water sector contributes 1-4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the collection, treatment, and distribution of drinking and wastewaters, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation and reduction of their carbon footprints. Government agencies are increasingly recognizing the role the water sector plays in addressing GHG emissions. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy issued a $23 million funding announcement in 2022 to drive innovation aimed at decarbonizing the entire lifecycle of water resource recovery facilities. Given the interdependencies between water, energy, and climate, nexus approaches can lead to more sustainable and resilient water systems, ultimately contributing to global GHG reduction goals. To advance emerging knowledge and develop cutting-edge solutions to reduce water systems-related GHG emissions, we invite you to submit to this Special Issue.

Proposed topics include, but are not limited to:

● The effects of climate change on the resilience and performance of water systems;

● Low carbon technologies for drinking water and wastewater treatment, including quantification of their reduction benefits;

● Emission processes and characteristics of GHGs in different water systems;

● Lifecycle carbon footprint assessment of water infrastructure projects;

● Study of the interlinkages between different environmental impact factors using nexus approaches on water systems;

● Policy and regulatory instruments for water system GHG reductions.