A path to clean water: Reduced chemicals input must complement wastewater treatment to ensure the safety of water resources

Chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, are necessary for health, agriculture and food production, industrial production, economic welfare, and many other aspects of modern life. However, their widespread use has led to the presence of many different chemicals in the water cycle (1, 2), from which they may enter the food chain (3, 4). The use of chemicals will further increase with growth, health, age, and living standard of the human population. At the same time, the need for clean water will also increase, including treated wastewater for food production and high-purity water for manufacturing electronics and pharmaceuticals. Climate change is projected to further reduce water availability in sufficient quantity and quality. Considering the limits of effluent treatment, there is an urgent need for input prevention at the source and for the development of chemicals that degrade rapidly and completely in the environment. © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved.