From ‘Waste’ Water to Fresh Water: Anaerobic treatment for energy-neutral potable water

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William Mitch and Craig Criddle, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Wastewater is typically treated with oxygen-consuming (aerobic) bacteria, an energy-intensive process that converts organic-rich wastewater constituents to carbon dioxide. This project will be conducted at a new experimental treatment plant at Stanford that uses oxygen-averse (anaerobic) bacteria to convert organic waste to methane. The research team will evaluate the viability of capturing and using methane gas for fuel to run treatment processes that convert wastewater to drinking water for human consumption.

 Read the spotlight article about the project

Learn more: 

TomKat seed grant leads to new treatment plant that can clean wastewater while creating energy May 2018

Awarded 2014