Electrochemical water treatment is an emerging technology that is gaining considerable interest in the removal of persistent contaminants. Electrochemical systems offer several advantages over other water treatment approaches, such as the absence of the need for auxiliary chemical addition, straightforward adjustment to variations in the influent composition and flow rate, modular and flexible design, small footprint, and easy combination with other technologies. Through the coupling of electrochemical with biological processes, we have substantially lowered the energy costs and material (electrode) usage associated with electrochemical water treatment. This technology can be implemented both in situ and ex situ, and is currently used for bioelectrochemical oxidation of 1,4-dioxane and bioelectrochemical reduction of perchlorate at contaminated field sites.
