ABSTRACT
To address current and future water security challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), in a sustainable manner, there is a need to rethink the water and sanitation value chain and consider accelerating transitioning the water sector to a circular economy (CE). However, this requires a good understanding of CE principles, frameworks and strategies that have been successfully applied in the global wastewater sector and how these can be adapted for application by LMIC. Furthermore, the role of innovative technologies in transforming wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into important wastewater biorefinery platforms requires critical evaluation in support of utilising WWTPs at the centre of the transition. This chapter reviews the global status of CE adaptation. It provides an analysis of the International Water Association (IWA) framework for transitioning to CE and the role of innovation through technical evaluation of emerging multi-biomass processing technology as an accelerator in transitioning the water sector to a CE.
