The paradigm shifts from linear to circular economy in wastewater treatment: insights and development of integrated approaches for wastewater management in tourist areas.

The discharge of properly treated effluents is a fundamental service for human health and environment protection, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are responsible for treating the wastewater produced in urban and industrial centers. Nowadays, the interest in WWTPs has increased due to the need of a paradigm shift from linear to circular economy, since effluents and sludge obtained from wastewater treatment can be considered as potential by-products promoting resource recovery, such as clean water, nutrients and bioenergy. However, the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the processes is a prerogative of this transitional phase, and an appropriate wastewater management strategy is the basis for a successful system. In particular, wastewater management is still poorly understood in tourist areas, which are characterized by drastic seasonal variations in pollution loads. In view of that, the aim of this research was to study and develop integrated approaches for wastewater management in tourist areas.