KQED's Forum MacArthur Genius Grantee Creates Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Solutions
Oct 13, 2025
William Tarpeh, an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Stanford and 2025 MacArthur Fellow, dives into revolutionary wastewater treatment solutions. He discusses transforming wastewater into valuable products like fertilizers and chemicals while emphasizing environmental and public health benefits. Tarpeh highlights innovative approaches using renewable energy and shares insights from his pilot projects in Kenya. He also explores the challenges posed by contaminants and advocates for community engagement in sustainable practices.
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Wastewater As A Resource
- Wastewater can be mined for valuable chemicals like fertilizers, disinfectants, and battery metals.
- Treating waste as a resource reframes pollution as an economic and environmental opportunity.
Power Treatment With Renewables
- Use renewable electricity to power onsite treatment devices whenever possible.
- Prioritize reducing greenhouse emissions and sourcing reagents sustainably to close material and energy loops.
Nutrients Drive Ecosystem Harm
- Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from treatment plants can cause harmful algal blooms and fish kills.
- Untreated wastewater also spreads pathogens and exacerbates public-health and ecological harms globally.