1. Wastewater Reuse: a Lost Opportunity in Malawi
John F. Kamanula
Department of Chemistry
Mzuzu University
WASAMA Conference, Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, 20th -22nd March 2017
2/11/2018

2. Situation overview
Safe drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene are important for good health, human survival and development.
However, about 1 billion people in the world have no access to safe, clean drinking water and 2.5 billion people have no access to improved sanitation (UNICEF/WHO, 2012).
Due to overpopulation, urbanization, prolonged drought, increase in water tariffs, inconsistent potable water supply, safe water is now a scarce commodity.
Could alternative sources of water solve the problem?
2/11/2018

3. Alternative Sources of water
Groundwater
Unprotected shallow well in
Ndirande, Blantyre.
Shallow well in Zolozolo, Mzuzu.
Wastewater
Surface water
2/11/2018

4. Table 1: E. coli in selected shallow well water from
Zolozolo Township, Mzuzu City.
______________________________________________
Name of Well E. coli (counts/100 mL)
Nyamkandawire 0
S. Nguluwe TNTC
A. Mwafulirwa 2
J. Phiri 3
R. Nkhoma 0
A. Mtambo 0
V. Singini 1
_____________________________________________________
2/11/2018

5. Table 2: E. coli in selected shallow wells and B/Hs in
Ndirande T/Ship, Blantyre (Kamanula et al., 2014).
_______________________________________________
Name of water source E. coli (counts/100 mL)
Kaphiri TNTC
Dailesi TNTC
Linesi TNTC
Mai Gulu 0
Falakadzo kiosk 0
Tchanga B/H TNTC
Golio Mosque B/H TNTC
Makata P/S B/H TNTC
________________________________________________
2/11/2018

6. Wastewater Waste water- spent water.
Wastewater is generated both in rural and urban areas in Malawi.
Wastewater generation has increased due to:
-increase in population
-urbanization
-industrialization
2/11/2018

7. Wastewater treatment Wastewater treatment is important:
To protect the environment.
To prevent physical, chemical and biological contamination of water resources.
2/11/2018

8. Residential Wastewater Reuse
Greywater treatment & recycling
2/11/2018

9. Why Wastewater Reuse? Water is life.
Due to overpopulation, urbanization, prolonged drought, increase in water tariffs, inconsistent potable water supply, water is now a scarce commodity.
Hence people look for alternative water sources apart from piped water.
Wastewater reuse –supplement/alternative or both?
2/11/2018

10. Benefits of wastewater reuse
Urban use
A large percentage of water used for urban activities requires less degree of quality as that of drinking water.
Toilet and urinal flushing.
Have dual distribution system, one for drinking water and another for reclaimed water.
This could conserve the limited water resources we have.
2/11/2018

11. Benefits of wastewater reuse
Agricultural use
Production of food and non-food crops.
Protection of surface water pollution due to direct discharge of wastewater.
Concerns
Health concerns
Public perception.
2/11/2018

12. Benefits of wastewater reuse
Industrial use
Boiler feed water
Cooling systems
Construction
Reduction costs associated with wastewater treatment and disposal.
Recreational use
2/11/2018

13. Guidelines Good practice plus wastewater reuse standards Urban Reuse
Restricted-Access-Area Irrigation
Agriculture Reuse
Recreational Impoundments
Landscape Impoundments
Construction Uses
Industrial Reuse
Groundwater Recharge
Indirect Potable Reuse
2/11/2018

14. Willingness for wastewater reuse
Organization Water used
1. SOBO (MZ) M3/day
They recycle water on a small-scale.
Use it for car washing, urban agriculture mainly maize and tomato production.
2. BAKHRESA (MZ) 300M3/month
They spend about MK550,000.00
No wastewater treatment plant.
They are willing to use treated wastewater.
2/11/2018

15. Willingness for wastewater reuse
3. Universal Industries (MZ)
They produce Nyika water, Peoples water, Sunbird water, Kamba puffs.
They use 2,600 kL/month.
No wastewater treatment plant.
They are willing to have a wastewater treatment plant.
Willing to use treated waste water for other purposes apart from production of bottled water.
2/11/2018

16. They budget for MK3,500,000.00/month.
4. Mzuzu C. Hospital
They budget for MK3,500,000.00/month.
But have been using appr. MK2,000,000/month.
Amount of wastewater generated not known.
They have wastewater stabilisation ponds.
They don’t reuse wastewater.
Are willing to use treated wastewater but not for consumption.
2/11/2018

17. MZUNI like other institutions generates wastewater.
Wastewater generated could be used as a feedstock for biogas and urban agriculture.
They have oxidation ponds managed by Estates Dept.
They are willing to use treated wastewater for other uses apart from consumption.
2/11/2018

18. Conclusions Large quantities of wastewater are produced in MW.
Sustainable wastewater reuse could:
-reduce Food insecurity in MW.
-reduce Water shortage.
What shall we do then?
Paradigm shift
Emphasize that wastewater is a resource.
Policies that will make wastewater a useful resource.
Hence need for effective wastewater management for future water security.
2/11/2018

19. Acknowledgements Ndirande residents Zolozolo residents MZCH Management
SOBO
Universal Industries
BAKHRESA
WASAMA
MZUNI
2/11/2018

20. THANK YOU
2/11/2018