Sustainable wastewater management intertwines closely with the broader agenda of sustaining water resources essential for social equity and environmental health. As per the United Nations' vision for a water-secure world, fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 6 is crucial—emphasizing clean water and enhanced sanitation practices. Simultaneously, wastewater serves as a substantial secondary resource hub, promoting a Circular Economy by optimizing resource use and maximizing recovery efficiencies of water, energy, and nutrients.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods are pivotal in evaluating the environmental impacts of urban water systems, aiding the wastewater treatment sector's shift from mere pollutant removal to resource recovery processes. However, while environmental LCAs are extensively utilized, the fields of social LCAs and ecosystem service applications in water management remain underexplored. These approaches provide invaluable insights into social impact and ecosystem benefits—critical for informed decision-making and comprehensive environmental and social sustainability assessments.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the integration of environmental LCA, social LCA, and ecosystem services within wastewater management in a Circular Economy. The goal is to enhance methodological understanding and application, addressing challenges and emerging trends. To further our understanding, we invite contributions focusing on, but not limited to:

• Environmental and sustainability impacts in wastewater management
• LCA-driven environmental performance evaluations
• Locational analysis of valuable secondary resources in wastewater
• Lifecycle footprints of recovered secondary resources
• Regulatory impacts shaped by environmental LCA applications
• Social dynamics and risk assessments via social LCA
• Ecosystem-centric benefits and sustainability measures in wastewater management

This collection seeks to advance both theoretical and practical knowledge, fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to propel sustainable practices forward.

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Frontiers in Sustainability

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