1. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
ecological sanitation: principles, technologies and project examples for wastewater and excreta management
Christine Werner
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
ecological sanitation program, Division 44 – environment and infrastructure
CeTAmb - International Conference
The role of Appropriate Technologies in Cooperation Projects
Desenzano del Garda (Brescia - Italia), December
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

2. ecosan project examples
content
ecosan principles
ecosan technologies
ecosan project examples
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

3. world water and sanitation crisis
ecosan principles
world water and sanitation crisis
Increasing scarcity and degrading quality of freshwater
1.1 billion people around the world have no access to safe drinking water
2.4 billion people have inadequate sanitation and/or no means of wastewater disposal
Expected growth of the global population by another 2 billion people within the next 25 years needing sanitation
90 % of wastewater worldwide is either poorly treated or not treated at all at discharge
80 % of all diseases and 25 % of all deaths in developing countries can be attributed to polluted water (WHO)
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

4. millenium development goals (MDGs)
ecosan principles
millenium development goals (MDGs)
Achievement of poverty eradication and sustainable development by rapidly increasing access to basic requirements such as clean water, sanitation, energy, health care, food security and the protection of biodiversity
Set target for water and sanitation: To halve the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and to adequate sanitation by 2015
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

5. shortcomings of conventional water carriage sanitation
ecosan principles
shortcomings of conventional water carriage sanitation
fertilizer production from finite resources
food
Mixing of flow streams, misuse of drinking water for transport
90% untreated
waste disposal in water bodies
sewage sludge
overexploitation of groundwater
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

6. shortcomings of conventional water carriage sanitation
ecosan principles
shortcomings of conventional water carriage sanitation
Unsatisfactory purification or uncontrolled discharge of more than 90 % of wastewater worldwide
Severe water pollution, unbearable health risks
Consumption of precious water for transport of waste
High investment, energy, operating and maintenance costs
Frequent subsidization of prosperous areas and neglect of poorer settlements
Loss of valuable nutrients and trace elements contained in excrements due to discharge into waters
Problems with contaminated sewage sludge in combined, central systems
Linear end-of-pipe technology
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

7. shortcomings of conventional „drop and store“ sanitation
ecosan principles
shortcomings of conventional „drop and store“ sanitation
Retention of solids
Infiltration of liquids
Polluted groundwater
Nitrates
Viruses
Pathogens
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

8. closing the loop between sanitation and agriculture
ecosan principles
closing the loop between sanitation and agriculture
rainwater harvesting
restoring soil fertility
food
agricultural use
organic waste
faeces
greywater
urine
treatment / hygienization / energy recovery
water reuse
no waste disposal in water bodies
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

9. ecological sanitation - a new approach
ecosan principles
ecological sanitation - a new approach
Improvement of health by minimizing the introduction of pathogens from human excrements into the water cycle
Promotion of safe recovery and use of nutrients, organics, trace elements, water and energy
Preservation of soil fertility and improvment of agricultural productivity
Conservation of resources
Preference for modular, decentralised systems for more appropriate, cost-efficient solutions
Promotion of a holistic, interdisciplinary approach
Material flow cycle instead of disposal
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

10. cco-sanitation concepts and strategies
ecosan principles
cco-sanitation concepts and strategies
eco-sanitation…
… is not a specific technology, but a new philosophy - based on an eco-system-oriented view of material flows - of dealing with what is presently regarded as waste and wastewater for disposal
…considers human excreta and wastewater not as wastes but as natural resources
… applies the basic natural principal of closing the loop by using modern and safe sanitation and reuse technologies
… opens up a wider range of sanitation options than those currently considered.
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

11. composition of household wastewater
Introduction to ecosan
composition of household wastewater
Organics
kg COD/ (Person·year)
12.3
3.6
14.1
Nutrient content
kg N,P,K / (Person·year) N P K
0.8
5.3
1.0
– l
500 l
50 l
Volume
Liter / (Person·year)
source: Otterpohl
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

12. wastewater and excreta are a valuable resource
ecosan principles
wastewater and excreta are a valuable resource
million tons per year
(as N + P2O5 + K2O)
135 50
farmers around the world yearly require 135 Mio tons of mineral fertiliser for their crops, while at the same time conventional sanitation dumps 50 Mio tons of fertiliser equivalents from so called wastewater flows into our water bodies - nutrients with a market value of around 15 Billion US dollars.
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

13. fertilizer potential of human excreta
ecosan principles
fertilizer potential of human excreta
source: Drangert, 1998
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

14. WHO guidelines for agricultural use of treated water (1989)
ecosan principles
WHO guidelines for agricultural use of treated water (1989)
Category
Use
Person / Group exposed
Nematodes [Eggs / kg]
Feacal coliforms [number / 100 g] A
Application to field crop (used for raw food)
worker, consumer, public
</= 1
</= 1000 B
Application to field crop (for industrial use, feedstock, trees)
worker
no suggested standard C
Local application to field crop of cat. B, without contact to persons
none
not relevant
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

15. benefits of ecological sanitation
ecosan principles
benefits of ecological sanitation
safe sanitation
water savings and a healthy environment
source:
source: Johannes Heeb
ecosan-toilets in Bangalore, India
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

16. Benefits of ecological sanitation
ecosan principles
Benefits of ecological sanitation
restored soil fertility through nutrient reuse
improved soil quality through reuse of organics
faeces & urine
urine
none
source: Petter Jenssen
source: Vinnerås, 2003
compost improved soil
untreated soil
after one week without water
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

17. benefits of ecological sanitation
source: Petter Jenssen
recovery of energy content (covering about 20% of cooking energy needs for a typical family in a developing country)
energy savings in fertilizer production & wastewater treatment
reuse of water
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

18. technical data sheets for ecosan components overview
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

19. examples of urine diverting toilets
ecosan technologies
examples of urine diverting toilets
China
Wost-Man, Sweden
Roediger, Germany
Dubletten, Sweden 
dry/wet:
faeces without, urine with flush 
dry/wet:
faeces with, urine without flush 
wet:
faeces & urine with flush
GTZ, Mali 
waterless:
faeces and urine without flush
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

20. waterless urinals ecosan technologies vacuum urinal
KfW-building, Germany
Lambertsmühle, Germany
Mon Museum, Sweden
Urimat
Ernst
Keramag
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

21. examples of composting toilets
ecosan technologies
examples of composting toilets
composting toilet, Germany
(Berger Biotechnik)
Sweden
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

22. examples of composting toilets
ecosan technologies
examples of composting toilets
mixing chamber with sawdust
electrical or manually driven mixing mechanisms
optimised composting toilet, Japan, Bio-Lux (Seiwa Denko Ltd)
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

23. examples of dehydrating toilets
ecosan technologies
examples of dehydrating toilets
school toilet facility, China
two chamber systems
rear view of a dehydrating toilet, Mali
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

24. vacuum systems elements:
ecosan technologies
vacuum systems
elements:
vacuum toilets, vacuum urinals, vacuum conductions, pumping station
advantages:
water saving, concentrated black water collection, decentralised treatment possible (anaerobic)
manufacturer:
i.e. Roediger GmbH
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

25. anaerobic treatment with biogas production
ecosan technologies
anaerobic treatment with biogas production
small-scale biogas plants:
decentralized treatment of household wastewater with or without agricultural waste
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

26. ecosan technologies
membrane technology
Highly effective removal of soluable and biodegradable materials in wastewater stream
selective permeable membrane (pore sizes < bacteria)
treated water recycle potential for non-potable application
compact, flexible system
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

27. vermicomposting example in South Africa: ecosan technologies
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

28. ecosan technologies
aquaculture
wastewater treatment by aquatic plants and fish with nutrient recyling by human consumption
offers high quality protein at low cost
predominantly in Asian countries
fish production of 1-6 tons/ha·year) achieved
tilapia
carp
duckweed
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

29. source: Comax International Ltd.
ecosan technologies
constructed wetlands
treatment of wastewater or greywater
effective in the removal of BOD, TSS, pathogen and nitrogen
effluent can be reused
aesthetically appealing
source: Cemagref
vertical flow
source: Comax International Ltd.
Niels De Pauw
horizontal flow
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

30. wastewater treatment with biomass production
ecosan technologies
wastewater treatment with biomass production
source: EU Fair, 2003
Combined wastewater treatment and bio-fuel production from willow plantations (example in Sweden)
Cost and energy effective
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

31. „epuvalisation“ - hydroponics
ecosan technologies
„epuvalisation“ - hydroponics
nutrient recycling (Senegal)
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

32. urine storage ecosan technologies
Various containers for urine storage:
Gebers, Sweden
Lambertsmühle, Germany
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

33. agricultural use ecosan technologies
direct injection of liquid fertiliser
irrigation
urban agriculture
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

34. basic types of ecosan-projects
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

35. experimental on-site sanitation in Koulikoro, Mali (supported by GTZ)
ecosan projects
experimental on-site sanitation in Koulikoro, Mali (supported by GTZ)
experimental on-site sanitation module consisting of a urine diverting dehydrating latrine, shower and greywater garden
Greywater garden
Source: GTZ
Urine diverting concrete slab
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

36. ecosan-study and reuse experiments in Havana, Cuba (supported by GTZ)
ecosan projects
ecosan-study and reuse experiments in Havana, Cuba (supported by GTZ)
Study of options for reuse of urine and faeces in existing urban agriculture in Havana
improved soil quality through reuse of organics
Source: GTZ
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

37. constructed wetland Haran-Al-Awamied, Syria (supported by GTZ)
ecosan projects
constructed wetland Haran-Al-Awamied, Syria (supported by GTZ)
Wastewater treatment with constructed wetland system:
Wastewater treatment through reed beds
Sludge treatment through reed beds
Treated wastewater used for irrigation purpose
High efficiency for hygienization
Small surface required: 0.5m2 per capital
Low cost: euro/person (construction), 1 euro per person every year (running cost)
Source: Mohamed
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

38. ecosan projects
ecosan public toilet centre Bangalore, India (supported by ACTS, SDC, Uni Oslo and GTZ)
Public toilet: separate collection of urine, faeces and anal cleaning water
Separately collected and stored urine used as fertilizer for banana plantation
Faeces transported by truck and treated in a biogas plant
Source: Johannes Heeb
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

39. Biogas used for cooking
ecosan projects
ecosan public toilet centre Bangalore, India (supported by ACTS, SDC, Uni Oslo and GTZ)
Biogas plant
Source: GTZ
Biogas used for cooking
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

40. biogas program Dhapasi, Nepal
ecosan projects
biogas program Dhapasi, Nepal
Source: GTZ
toilet wastewater and manure is used in a household biogas plant
biogas is used for cooking, organic sludge is used to fertilise the garden
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

41. Egypt (supported by GTZ)
ecosan projects
Egypt (supported by GTZ)
large scale field test on soilisation of sewage sludge using vegetation (IPP Consult)
Source: IPP Consult
Soilisation bed with grass
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

42. China-Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project, China (supported by SIDA)
ecosan projects
China-Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project, China (supported by SIDA)
Ecosan practises in an entire functionging modern town:
Urine-diverting dry toilets and collection systems for multi-storey buildings
Greywater collection and treated in decentrialised system
Composted faeces and urine reused in agriculture
Source: EcosanRes, SEI
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

43. China-Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project, China (supported by SIDA)
ecosan projects
China-Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project, China (supported by SIDA)
Source: EcosanRes, SEI
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

44. Four-in-one model, China
ecosan projects
Four-in-one model, China
pig – toilet – biogas – vegetable
combined with Greenhouse Production
more than 1,000,000 times in peri-urban areas of Megacities in Northern China
Use of nutrients, organics, energy and carbon dioxyde
Source: Yao
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

45. ecosan projects
Urine diverting dry toilet in Guangxi-Province, China (supported by SIDA and Unicef)
Large ecosan project in the phase of up-scaling
1997, pilot project funded by SIDA/Unicef, 70 ecosan (urine diverting dehydration toilets) built in pilot village, Dalu Village
1998, urine-diverting toilets were built in 200 ecosan villages in Guangxi
2002, ecosan toilets in Guangxi
2003, ecosan toilets in 17 provinces (Ministry of Public Health)
Factors of success: cultural acceptance, political commitment, technical flexibility, low cost, income generation, pressure from water pollution and water scarcity, promotion and marketing
source: Sandec
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

46. decentralized treatment for municipal sewerage, China
ecosan projects
decentralized treatment for municipal sewerage, China
DEWATS /LOMWATS
Decentralized wastewater treatment systems
Low maintenance wastewater treatment systems
Baffled septic tank
Biogas Digestors
By 2002: plants
Data: Ministry of Agriculture
source: BORDA
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

47. Eco-settlement Lübeck – Flintenbreite, Germany
ecosan projects
Eco-settlement Lübeck – Flintenbreite, Germany
eco-settlement for 350 people
Greywater treatment in constructed wetlands
Storm water infiltration in swales
Vacuum pipe
Vacuum toilet
Biowaste shredder
Transport of blackwater and biowaste
Central technical building
source: Otterwasser GmbH, Germany
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

48. greywater recycling in Hotel Arabella, Germany
ecosan projects
greywater recycling in Hotel Arabella, Germany
Greywater from baths and showers in guest rooms treated with rotating biological contactors and reused for toilet flushing
Rainwater collection for irrigation of hotel garden
RBC
Source: Rolde & Partner, DHV, GTZ
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

49. main building of GTZ headquarter, Germany
ecosan projects
main building of GTZ headquarter, Germany
ecosan concept: separation, processing and agricultural reuse of urine (implementation 2004/2005)
Source: GTZ
urine diversion toilets and waterless urinals
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

50. Key activities of the GTZ-ecosan programme
ecosan projects
Key activities of the GTZ-ecosan programme
GTZ – ecosan programme
knowledge management and networking
e-newsletter
ecosan website
ecosan source book (in progress)
ecosan-project data sheets (in progress)
ecosan-technologies data sheets (in progress)
brochures, posters, professional articles, films, etc.
conferences & workshops
cooperation in the field
national & international working groups
ecosan pilot research and demonstration projects
baseline and feasibility studies for sanitation systems, treatment and reuse systems
advocacy and decision making workshops
training workshops
technical and operational advice for implementation
accompanying research
upscaling of projects and dissemination of experiences
more than 40 pilot projects worldwide
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

51. ecosan project data sheet example
General data
Objectives
Location and general conditions
Technologies applied
Type of reuse
Project history
Costs
O+M
Design information
Lessons learned
Available documents
Involved institutions and experts
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

52. technical data sheets for ecosan components
Basic principles of the technology, overview on available technology types, main field of application and limitations
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia

53. Thank you! www.gtz.de/ecosan ecosan@gtz.de
subscribe the ecosan-newsletter by sending an with the text “subscribe ecosan” to:
Appropriate Technologies in Ccooperation Projects, , Brescia