This Technical Brief reviews some of the options for wastewater treatment in low- and middle-income communities. It should be used as a guide to the main options available.
WELL (n.y): Wastewater Treatment Options. (= WELL Technical Briefs , 64 ). Loughborough: Water and Environmental health at London and Loughborough (WELL) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) library hosts an extensive choice of domestic biogas reports from around the world domestic biogas.
This practical guideline on the use of urine in agricultural productions gives some background information on basic plant requirements and how they can be met with urine as a liquid fertiliser.
RICHERT, A. GENSCH, R. JOENSSON, H. STENSTROEM, T.A. DAGERSKOG, L. (2010): Practical Guidance on the Use of Urine in Crop Production. (= EcoSanRes Publication Series, Report No. 2010-1 ). Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
This information service on biogas technology has been developed and produced on the order of the GTZ project Information and Advisory Service on Appropriate Technology (ISAT). Volume III discusses the micro- and macro-economic viability of biogas sanitation systems.
ISAT ; GTZ (1999): Biogas - Costs and Benefits and Biogas – Programme Implementation. (= Biogas Digest , 3 ). Information and Advisory Services on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) and German Agency for Technical Cooperation GmbH (GmbH) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
This report is a basic assessment of the feasibility and potential for using animal wastes in anaerobic methane digesters to create electricity in Minnesota. It covers an estimation of the electricity potential, the farm-size thresholds that warrant further investigation for a potential digester system, a quantification of the impact of incentives as well as a financial analysis.
MDC (2003): Minnesota's Potential for Electricity Production Using Manure Biogas Resources. Final Report. Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDC) and State Energy Office (SEO). [Accessed: 23.04.2010] PDF
The document describes a pilot project in Koczala, Northern Poland, with an agricultural biogas CHP plant integrated with a converted wood-chip fired municipal district heating system.
IRE LTD (n.y): Preparation of a pilot biogas CHP plant integrated with a wood-chip fired DHP system. Warszawa: Institute for Renewable Energy (IRE) Ltd URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment is the second volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment, and focusses on the unit operations and processes associated with biological wastewater treatment. The major topics covered are: microbiology and ecology of wastewater treatment, reaction kinetics and reactor hydraulics, conversion of organic and inorganic matter, sedimentation, aeration.
SPERLING, M. von (2007): Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment. (= Biological Wastewater Treatment Series , 2 ). London: International Water Association (IWA) Publishing URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
The aim of this publication is to build a bridge between the elaborate literature and information on the biogas production side and the existing technical and scientific know-how on the side of internal combustion engines. An engine fuelled by biogas shall become understandable as a core module in a system of energy supply, energy transformation and a demand of energy for a useful purpose. This publication attempts to provide a source of essential information for decision-making, planning, modification and operation of biogas engines within this system.
MITZLAFF, von, K. (1988): Engines for biogas. Eschborn: German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
This article analyses how water-management policies have developed over the centuries, how these policies have affected the city’s inhabitants, and the environment. The study uses the history of water management decisions and practices in Mexico City as an example. It also points out relevant future directions for water policy.
SOSA-RODRIGUEZ, F. (2010): Impacts of Water-management Decisions on the Survival of a City. From Ancient Tenochtitlan to Modern Mexico City. Waterloo: University of Waterloo URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
The chapter "the usefulness of urine" is about different methods of collecting urine, storage, uses of urine in agriculture and gives various examples of using urine to enhance vegetable production in containers and on fields
MORGAN, P. (2004): The Usefulness of Urine. Part III, chapter 14. In: Morgan, P. ; (2014): An Ecological Approach to Sanitation in Africa. A Compilation of Experiences. Harare: pp. 174-189. URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
This report presents results from eight technical pilot studies on aquifer recharge (including SAT) between 2005 and 2008 on five continents. The main objective of these studies was to assess the overall performance of these sites in recharging aquifers mainly for irrigation and potable water supply purposes by following contaminant fate throughout each scheme.
MELIN, T. (2009): Reclaim Water. Water Reclamation Technologies for Safe Artificial Groundwater Recharge. Publishable Final Activity Report. Aachen: RWTH Aachen University URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
The sewage treatment process at SABESP (Basic Sanitation Company of Sao Paulo State, Brazil) has until now burnt some of the biogas produced in the anaerobic digester to enhance the process temperature and the other part was burnt in order to limit impact of emission. The transformation of this excess biogas into electricity would be a sustainable solution generating even additional income. An alternative to burn it in flare is the biogas conversion into electricity through engines or microturbines. This paper describes the proposed system to convert biogas in electricity and heat using microturbines (30 kW ISO).
TEIXEIRA COELHO, S. STORTINI GONZALES VELAZQUES, S.M. STELLA MARTINS, O. CASTRO DE ABREU, F. (2006): Biogas from Sewage Treatment used to Electric Energy Generation, by a 30 kW (ISO) Microturbine. (= World Bioenergy Conference & Exhibition ). Sao Paulo: Brazilian Reference Center on Biomass (CENBIO) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water will only be achieved in Africa by increased development of groundwater for rural water supply. However,the role that groundwater plays in achieving the MDGs is underrated and rarely articulated. This briefing note explores the main groundwater issues related to rural water supply in Africa.
BGN (2006): Groundwater and Rural Water Supply in Africa. International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Burdon Groundwater Network (BGN) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
Brief factsheet giving an oversight over most common managed aquifer recharge methods. With an Australian perspective.
CSIRO (2010): Managed Aquifer Recharge. Frequently Asked Questions. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
This book repared by partners of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) network is a real eye-opener. It takes a look at some of the methods that have worked well in the past, to guide us in solving the problems of the future. By addressing sanitation as a key element of the urban metabolism, and by linking sanitation with urban planning and neighbouring sectors like solid waste management or waste recycling, it allows for a holistic approach. In the cities of tomorrow, we will need to focus more on recycling energy. A good example being biogas generation from wastewater and sludges. Water will also become an increasingly scarce commodity. Greywater (from showers and sinks) can be treated in urban constructed wetlands or used to water and fertilise urban green spaces. Such examples of productive sanitation systems will form an integral part of infrastructure in sustainable cities.
LUETHI, C. PANESAR, A. SCHUETZE, T. NORSTROEM, A. MCCONVILLE, J. PARKINSON, J. SAYWELL, D. INGE, R. (2011): Sustainable Sanitation in cities: a framework for action. Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) & International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU), Papiroz Publishing House, The Netherlands URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions gives a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment, particularly domestic sewage. The book covers the main treatment processes used worldwide with wastewater treatment in warm climate regions given a particular emphasis where simple, affordable and sustainable solutions are required. The 55 chapters are divided into 7 parts over two volumes: Volume One (also available in the SSWM library): Introduction to wastewater characteristics, treatment and disposal; Basic principles of wastewater treatment; Stabilisation ponds; Anaerobic reactors; Volume Two: Activated sludge; Aerobic biofilm reactors; Sludge treatment and disposal.
SPERLING, M. von LEMOS CHERNICHARO, C.A. de (2005): Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions Volume 2. London: International Water Association (IWA) Publishing URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]
Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions gives a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment, particularly domestic sewage. The book covers the main treatment processes used worldwide with wastewater treatment in warm climate regions given a particular emphasis where simple, affordable and sustainable solutions are required. The 55 chapters are divided into 7 parts over two volumes: Volume One: (1) Introduction to wastewater characteristics, treatment and disposal; (2) Basic principles of wastewater treatment; (3) Stabilisation ponds; (4) Anaerobic reactors; Volume Two (also available in the SSWM library): (5) Activated sludge; (6) Aerobic biofilm reactors; (7) Sludge treatment and disposal.
SPERLING, M. von LEMOS CHERNICHARO, C.A. de (2005): Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions Volume 1. London: International Water Association (IWA) Publishing URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]The webpage of Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC) provides a wide range of information on implementing small- and mid-scale biogas plantations in order to produce electricity.
Wastewater Characteristics, Treatment and Disposal is the first volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment, presenting an integrated view of water quality and wastewater treatment. This book covers the following topics: wastewater characteristics (flow and major constituents), impact of wastewater discharges to rivers and lakes, overview of wastewater treatment systems, complementary items in planning studies.
SPERLING, M. von (2007): Wastewater Characteristics, Treatment and Disposal. (= Biological Wastewater Treatment Series , 1 ). London: International Water Association (IWA) Publishing URL [Accessed: 26.05.2019]