The proliferation of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater streams poses a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, as conventional treatment systems are largely ineffective at eliminating these micropollutants. This research investigates the application of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) — including electro-Fenton and anodic oxidation — as high-efficiency treatment alternatives for degrading antibiotics, hormones, and analgesics found in municipal and hospital effluents. Systematic experiments will assess degradation efficiency, reaction kinetics, and the identification of transformation by-products under varying operational conditions.

Beyond bench-scale validation, this study addresses the practical scalability and energy optimization of EAOP systems for real-world wastewater treatment plant integration. Cost-benefit analyses will compare EAOP performance against conventional tertiary treatment methods, with particular emphasis on minimizing energy consumption without compromising removal efficiency. The research outcomes are expected to accelerate the adoption of electrochemical treatment technologies as a viable solution to pharmaceutical water contamination on a municipal scale.