RMUTT & EU: Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Water Treatment (NbS)

RMUTT Organizes Academic Seminar on Nature-Based Water Treatment Technologies under the NEUTRAL4GS Project

Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), in collaboration with leading European research institutions—Aarhus University (Denmark), IRIDRA (Italy), and the University of Aveiro (Portugal)—organized an academic seminar under the NEUTRAL4GS Project. The event highlighted advancements in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for water treatment, showcasing innovative technologies aimed at addressing urban water management challenges in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The NEUTRAL4GS Project is supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchange (2022–2023) under the European Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Union, promoting knowledge exchange and international cooperation in sustainable water treatment technologies.

Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Water Management

Nature-Based Solutions represent an innovative approach to water management that utilizes natural processes to sustainably restore water quality. The project focuses on treating urban stormwater and household greywater, transforming polluted water into clean, reusable water resources.

Research Findings and Featured Technologies

The seminar presented research outcomes on several NbS-based water treatment technologies, including:

• Constructed Wetlands

• Rain Gardens

• Green Roofs

• Green Walls

These systems have been successfully implemented for greywater treatment in multiple countries such as Italy, India, Lebanon, and Jordan. Research on Sand-Sorption systems for stormwater treatment demonstrated over 90% removal efficiency for heavy metals, particularly copper and zinc, indicating strong potential for urban water pollution reduction.

Circular Water Management and Decentralized Treatment Systems

The presented research highlights emerging global trends in sustainable water management, particularly Circular Water Management and Blue-Green Infrastructure. Decentralized treatment technologies showcased during the seminar include:

• Rooftop wetlands

• Vertical green walls

• Phytoremediation systems

These systems support the concept of Smart Circular Cities by reducing the load on traditional centralized wastewater treatment plants while increasing urban green spaces and enabling water reuse.

Another key topic was algae-based adsorption technology, which has shown strong potential for the effective removal of heavy metals and micropollutants from wastewater.

Implementation Goals and Sustainable Development Impact

RMUTT aims to expand its international research collaboration to evaluate the feasibility of implementing these technologies in real urban environments. Targeted applications include:

• Mitigating stormwater pollution

• Reducing flash flood risks

• Developing greywater treatment systems for residential buildings, hospitals, schools, and communities

The NEUTRAL4GS Project contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• SDG 13: Climate Action

• SDG 15: Life on Land

The project also aligns with the EU Green Deal and the New Wastewater Treatment Directive, supporting global goals related to zero pollution, circular economy principles, and long-term environmental sustainability.