Sustainable Sanitation Marco A. Bruni, seecon international gmbh

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Contents Introduction Problems with current Approaches to Sanitation What is Sustainable Sanitation? Conclusion SSWM and Sustainable Sanitation References

Approaches to Sanitation 1. Introduction Approaches to Sanitation What exactly is wastewater? How should the organisation of a sanitation system look like? How can we better manage wastewater? How can we keep it simple, but yet effective and efficient? etc. Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/- 2yIT8xt_stM/TwtB4J9sBqI/AAAAAAAACmY/s_6- 9HHksUA/s1600/Istanbul%20Toilet.gif [Accessed: 30.01.2012]

Conventional Forms of Wastewater Management and Sanitation 2. Problems with Current Approaches to Sanitation Conventional Forms of Wastewater Management and Sanitation Dry (pit) systems (on-site) Waterborne systems (centralised) - Retention of solids - Infiltration of liquids Source: http://i.bnet.com/blogs/toilet.png [Accessed: 30.01.2012]

Dry (pit) Systems – The Drawbacks 2. Problems with current Approaches to Sanitation Dry (pit) Systems – The Drawbacks Liquids infiltrate the soil and enter the water cycle Incomplete barrier between human beings and excreta Nutrients infiltrate the soil and enter aquatic systems Eutrophication Pathogenes infiltrate and enter aquatic system Waterborne diseases Source: CONRADIN (2007)

Waterborne Systems – The Drawbacks 2. Problems with current Approaches to Sanitation Waterborne Systems – The Drawbacks (CORCORAN et al. 2010) Technical knowledge Water demand End-of-pipe system - 90% of global wastewater does not receive any treatment at all. Operating costs Energy-intensity Social acceptance Investment costs WINBLAD and SIMPSON-HERBERT (2004) Maintenance Vulnerability Mixing of different wastewater streams (CORCORAN et al. 2010)

Conventional Systems versus Sustainable Sanitation 3. What is Sustainable Sanitation? Conventional Systems versus Sustainable Sanitation Socially acceptable Economically viable Conventional systems Technical aspects Sustainable Sanitation Social Environmental Economical and technical aspects Integrative, holistic approach } Sustainable Sanitation

Nutrients Water Energy 3. What is Sustainable Sanitation? Basic Principle Wastewater should NOT be considered as a waste but as a valuable resource. Nutrients Water Energy Source: CONRADIN (2010)

Objectives of Sustainable Sanitation 3. What is Sustainable Sanitation? Objectives of Sustainable Sanitation Health and hygiene Effective barrier between user and environment Prevention of exposure to excreta at all levels of the sanitation process Environment and natural resources Protection of natural resources Recycling, low energy consumption, low emissions Technology and operation Adaptation to local circumstances Robustness against floods, power cuts, water shortages, etc. Financial & economic issues: Consideration of total (lifecycle) costs Socio-cultural & institutional aspects: Acceptance by the community

Sustainable Sanitation is a simple Approach 4. Conclusion Sustainable Sanitation is a simple Approach The essential principles Wastewater and excreta should not be considered as a waste, but as valuable resources. Sanitation systems should be organised in a socially acceptable and economically viable manner. There is no “one-fits-all” approach, much rather, the most adequate solution has to be found from case to case, considering climate and water availability, agricultural practices, socio-cultural preferences, affordability, safety, and technical prerequisites, etc.

Integrated, holistic Approach 5. SSWM and Sustainable Sanitation Integrated, holistic Approach

6. References CONRADIN, K. (2007): Ecological Sanitation in the Khuvsgul Area, Northern Mongolia: Socio-Cultural Parameters and Acceptance. Unpublished Master Thesis. Basel: University of Basel. http://www2.gtz.de/dokumente/oe44/ecosan/nl/en-ecosan-in-mongolia-mscthesis-2007.pdf [Accessed: 26.01.2012]. CORCORAN, E. (Editor); NELLEMANN, C. (Editor); BAKER, E. (Editor); BOS, R. (Editor); OSBORN, D. (Editor); SAVELLI, H. (Editor) (2010): Sick Water? The central role of wastewater management in sustainable development. A Rapid Response Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-HABITAT, GRID-Arendal. http://www.grida.no/_res/site/file/publications/sickwater/SickWater_screen.pdf [Accessed: 26.01.2012]. WINDBLAD, U.; SIMPSON-HERBERT, M. (2004): Ecological Sanitation - revised and enlarged edition. (pdf presentation). Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute. http://www.ecosanres.org/pdf_files/Ecological_Sanitation_2004.pdf [Accessed: 26.01.2012].

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