By Omar Gouda
Around two months ago, in Cairo, a PhD student at The American University in Cairo (AUC) made headlines by winning the Eni Award for her research into a low-cost, chemical-free system that uses naturally occurring enzymes to treat wastewater.
A Surprising Source of Clean Water
Our everyday water use creates a lot of wastewater, and reclaiming and reusing that water is vital. Surprisingly, researchers have discovered that this so-called waste holds part of the answer: it contains microbes and enzymes that actively aid in its own treatment. In short, the problem carries within it the solution.
Meet the Researcher Rewriting the Rules
Shimaa Farag, a biotechnology PhD candidate at AUC, received the Young Talents from Africa prize at the Eni Award for her work on “Tailored Enzymatic-Based Treatment of Wastewater Using Extremophilic Enzymes.” She is the only Egyptian and Arab researcher to receive this year’s award. She explained: “Wastewater is often seen as a source of contamination, but it contains microbial communities that can provide the very enzymes needed to clean it.”
How the Technology Works
Here’s the breakthrough: rather than relying on harsh chemicals or costly filtration systems, Farag’s approach taps into enzymes—tiny biological tools—naturally produced by microbes already present in wastewater. These enzymes target and break down stubborn pollutants like heavy metals and leftover antibiotics. Since they’re part of nature’s own toolkit, the process is biodegradable and avoids synthetic additives altogether.
Why This Matters for Egypt and Beyond
Egypt’s growing water stress, driven by limited freshwater resources and rising demand, makes wastewater reuse increasingly critical. A treatment system that’s affordable, chemical-free, and adaptable to tough environments could transform access to clean water, especially for small factories, farms, and remote communities.
This innovation goes beyond purification: it offers a pathway to long-term water resilience, helping regions manage scarcity while reducing reliance on costly or synthetic solutions.
While lab results are encouraging, the system has yet to be tested at scale. It must prove effective under real-world conditions: handling variable flows, shifting temperatures, and inconsistent wastewater quality. Key factors like durability, maintenance demands, and cost still need to be demonstrated.
From Lab Bench to Farm Field
The next phase involves piloting the system at small-scale wastewater plants or farms, where real-world data can be collected on contaminant removal, cost efficiency, and operational stability. If successful, the approach could be scaled up through local production of enzyme modules, creating commercial opportunities for Egyptian firms and helping keep implementation costs affordable.
Why Is It Important
If the enzyme-based system proves its worth, several wins could follow: fewer chemicals and less sludge in wastewater treatment; lower costs for smaller operators; safer reuse of treated water; and reduced dependency on fresh water resources. In short, this is a “turn waste into opportunity” story with local roots and global relevance.
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