Water scarcity is one of the major challenges faced by mankind (Loeb, 2016). There is a real need to develop ways of using wastewater as a source of reusable water. These streams constitute indirect potable water sources that are often discharged into natural resources (Lee and von Gunten, 2010). The treated effluents must thus be safe for both ecosystems and human health. Even if current wastewater treatment processes can fulfill the required discharge thresholds, trace compounds (both organic and inorganic) in the treated streams present a dangerous potential threat. These compounds show refractory characteristics and are often not fully removed by conventional treatment technologies. Although found in trace levels, their real impact on human health is yet unknown. Moreover, due to their accumulation capacity and biorefractory features, these compounds are starting to be found in drinking water. Bearing these concerns in mind, the European Commission has listed several chemical contaminants whose concentration in natural water resources must be followed by member states.
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