Rapid Radicals says there’s a faster way to treat wastewater, begins pilot program in Milwaukee
Rapid Radicals says there's a faster way to treat wastewater, begins ... WUWM
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A Technology Test in Milwaukee Aims to Reduce Sewer Overflows and Promote Sustainable Development Goals
A technology test in Milwaukee aims to reduce the harm done when combined sewer overflows are released into Lake Michigan and local rivers. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations to ensure clean water and sanitation for all.
The Challenge of Sewer Overflows
Two to three times a year, on average, rain or snowmelt overwhelms the treatment system at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). When that happens, officials release untreated or partially treated wastewater into local surface waters to prevent sewage backup into basements. However, this practice leads to significant pollution of lakes and rivers.
Peters says Milwaukee is not alone in releasing polluted water. According to her, “Every year in the U.S., 850 billion gallons of untreated sewage are discharged into lakes and rivers, due to sewer overflows during intense storms. That’s equivalent to 170,000 Mississippi Rivers filled with poop water. I know that doesn’t sound appealing but I hope it brings gravity to the reality of the situation.”
The Role of Rapid Radicals
Rapid Radicals, a startup company founded by Paige Peters, has initiated a pilot program in collaboration with MMSD to address this issue. The company aims to clean more of the sewage before it is released into the environment, contributing to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
The pilot program takes place in a large blue shipping container on MMSD property. The wastewater is pumped in from a nearby underground sewer and goes through a series of metal tanks and filters. The innovative aspect of Rapid Radicals’ approach is the use of ozone treatment, which is faster and more efficient than traditional biological treatment methods.
The Benefits of Ozone Treatment
Peters explains that ozone treatment can achieve what biological treatment does in a fraction of the time. Ozone is generated on-site by splitting oxygen molecules, and it reacts quickly with the organics in wastewater. This process ensures that there are no harmful residuals in the water when it is discharged.
Research conducted by Peters indicates that ozone treatment can be cost-effective, making it a viable solution for wastewater treatment agencies. The preliminary figures from Rapid Radicals show that the sewage can be cleaned to meet the standards of MMSD’s wastewater permit.
Scaling Up and Future Outlook
The challenge now is to scale up the ozone treatment without sacrificing performance. Matt Magruder from MMSD expresses optimism that this technology can help mitigate the impact of heavy rainfalls and move towards the goal of zero overflows. The collaboration between Rapid Radicals and Marquette University, including patent applications and an intellectual property license agreement, further demonstrates the potential of this innovative solution.
By addressing the issue of sewer overflows and promoting sustainable wastewater treatment, Rapid Radicals and MMSD contribute to SDG 6 and work towards ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Reduction in the amount of untreated or partially treated wastewater released into local surface waters.
- Efficiency of the ozone treatment process compared to conventional wastewater treatment technologies.
- Ability to meet water quality standards set by wastewater permits.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | – Reduction in the amount of untreated or partially treated wastewater released into local surface waters. – Ability to meet water quality standards set by wastewater permits. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. | – Efficiency of the ozone treatment process compared to conventional wastewater treatment technologies. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | N/A |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wuwm.com
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