Title: An interdisciplinary approach to the assessment of water recycling technology options

Authors: Paul Jeffrey, Roger A.F. Seaton, Simon A. Parsons, Simon J. Judd, Tom Stephenson, Alan Fewkes, David Butler, Andrew Dixon

Addresses: International Ecotechnology Research Centre, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43 0AL, UK. International Ecotechnology Research Centre, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43 0AL, UK. School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43, 0AL, UK. School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43, 0AL, UK. School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43, 0AL, UK. Department of Building and Environmental Health, The Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College, of Science, Technology and Medecine, London SW7 2BU, UK. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College, of Science, Technology and Medecine, London SW7 2BU, UK

Abstract: Whilst work on the development of engineering options for water recycling has continued apace over the last decade, less attention has been paid to the problem of selecting appropriate technologies for particular applications. This paper firstly reviews the motivations for a cross-disciplinary approach to technology selection in this context, highlighting the process of translating research findings into practical and socially acceptable opportunities. It goes on to report early experience from an interdisciplinary collaboration which seeks to assess the suitability of specific water recycling options for urban environments. Conclusions relate primarily to the effective application of interdisciplinary research programmes to water management issues.

Keywords: interdisciplinary research; technology assessment; water recycling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2000.002056

International Journal of Water, 2000 Vol.1 No.1, pp.102-117

Published online: 15 Aug 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article