ETIS – Advanced Technology for the Removal of Microbiological and Endocrine Pollutants from Wastewater

The effective management of microbiological contaminants and emerging pollutants, particularly endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), is one of the most critical challenges in wastewater treatment. To address this need, SDG S.r.l. has developed and patented ETIS, an innovative technology based on an advanced alkaline hydrolysis process.

Removal of Microbiological Contaminants

At the core of the ETIS technology lies alkaline hydrolysis—a chemical treatment that raises the wastewater’s pH to extreme levels (typically above 12), creating conditions that deactivate and destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

Mechanisms of action:

• Bacteria and viruses. The highly alkaline environment denatures proteins and disrupts cell membranes, resulting in a significant reduction of microbial load and effective sanitization of treated water.
• Spores and fungi. Even the most resilient structures, such as bacterial spores and fungal mycelium, are broken down, ensuring comprehensive disinfection.
• Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (ARB) and resistance genes (ARG). The combination of high pH, extended contact time, and potentially elevated temperatures (from exothermic reactions during treatment) enhances the process’s effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains and associated resistance genes.

Degradation of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs)

EDCs—including natural and synthetic hormones, pesticides, plasticizers, and pharmaceutical residues—are notoriously persistent and difficult to eliminate using conventional methods. ETIS provides an effective solution for their degradation.

Key advantages:

• Chemical breakdown of active molecules. High alkalinity induces reactions that fragment the chemical structures of EDCs (e.g., phthalates, BPA), reducing or eliminating their endocrine-disrupting potential.
• Broad-spectrum effectiveness. The process is effective across a wide range of emerging organic pollutants, significantly reducing the overall contaminant load.
• Minimized by-product formation. By combining alkaline hydrolysis with subsequent anaerobic digestion, ETIS minimizes the generation of toxic by-products and supports environmentally sustainable treatment.

Environmental and Operational Benefits

Implementing the ETIS technology delivers tangible benefits in both environmental performance and operational flexibility.

• Safe water reuse. Treated water becomes suitable for reuse in agricultural and industrial applications, supporting circular water management strategies.
• Protection of aquatic ecosystems. Effective removal of EDCs prevents the release of bioactive substances into natural water bodies, reducing negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.
• High adaptability. The process can be tailored to specific microbiological and chemical contamination profiles, making it suitable for a wide variety of industrial and municipal effluents.

Conclusion

With ETIS, SDG S.r.l. offers a robust, scalable, and sustainable technological solution to address modern challenges in wastewater treatment. ETIS contributes to safer sanitation practices, environmental protection, and public health—paving the way for a cleaner, more secure future.