Removal of antibiotic resistances from hospital effluents
Removal of antibiotic resistances from hospital effluents
Currently, hospitals and healthcare centres in Spain are not required to have a system for eliminating antibiotics, as well as antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria, in their wastewater treatment stations.
LIFE GENESYS aims to stay ahead of future legislation by developing an on-site treatment system to remove pharmaceuticals, along with antibiotic- resistant genes and bacteria, from hospital effluents.
The LIFE GENESYS solution, which will be implemented at full scale in the Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí (Sabadell), will consist of a treatment train that includes a membrane bioreactor and an advanced oxidation process (AOP), involving the dosing of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet-LED light.
Eliminating these contaminants from hospital wastewater will prevent their mixing with urban wastewater and significantly reduce their load at the corresponding wastewater treatment plant (Riu Ripoll WWTP).
Additionally, as part of the LIFE GENESYS project, a digital early warning platform for antibiotic resistance risk will be developed using data collected from medical prescriptions and wastewater monitoring. This tool will determine antibiotic levels in hospital effluents, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions when prescribing antibiotics.
The solution will significantly contribute to the objectives set in the EU One Health Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, it will support the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive from the European Commission, demonstrating cost- effective, decentralised solutions that will reduce future wastewater treatment costs at treatment plants.
LIFE GENESYS is a European project co-funded by the LIFE Programme (LIFE23-ENV-ES- GENESYS 101147763), the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating, and development of EU policy and legislation on environment and climate through the co- financing of projects with European added value. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission or CINEA. Neither the European Commission nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
