Hemodialysis Consumes the World's Plenty of Water Water: the Analysis of Water Discharged from Reverse Osmosis and Usefulness; [Hemodiyaliz Dünyanın Suyunu Tüketiyor: Ters Osmozdan Atılan Suyun Analizi ve Kullanılabilir Olması]
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2023
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Introductıon: In the hemodialysis water system, "raw water" refers to mains or artesian water, while "pure water" denotes the purified water used for diluting concentrated hemodialysis solutions. There is often confusion between "rejected water," which is discharged from the reverse osmosis device and usually discarded into the sewer, and hemodialysis wastewater, which comes into contact with a patient's blood post-treatment. Our study aims to assess the quality of this rejected water and explore ways to repurpose it rather than disposing of it. Materıal and Method: Approval was obtained from the Manisa Celal Bayar University Ethics Committee for the study titled "Hemodialysis Consumes the World's Water." The fundamental principle of the reverse osmosis system is to filter water from harmful and contaminating substances by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane under high pressure. In our study, we conducted microbiological and chemical analyses of the water discharged from the reverse osmosis water treatment system into the sewer. Results: Microbiological and chemical tests were conducted at the Afyonkarahisar Public Health Laboratory by taking water samples using the appropriate technique from various points within the hemodialysis unit's water system at Merkezefendi State Hospital. The analyses of water samples from four different points in the reverse osmosis water system, including the inlet, post-treatment, inter-tank, and rejected water sections, revealed that all these sections were microbiologically sterile (Enterocuc/Fecal streptococ, E. Coli, total coliform). Additionally, Aluminum and Iron levels were found to be zero. The Ammonium levels were 0.15, 0.13, 0.12, and 0.13 mg/L, respectively, and the conductivity was measured as 540, 546, 492, 623 mS/cm. The water was deemed suitable in terms of odor, turbidity, and color, with a pH range of 7.50-7.70, falling within the standard range established by the Turkish and USA EPA Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the water rejected in the reverse osmosis system can be used for all kinds of purposes. Given the decreasing availability of the world's water resources, this research represents the first national study showing that water can be conserved by preventing the disposal of water into the sewerage system, which places a burden on the economy and the natural environment. © 2023, Turk Nefroloji Diyaliz ve Transplantasyon Hemsireleri Dernegi. All rights reserved.