Ecological sanitation is not fixed to any one system, but emphasises the need for a holistic systems approach based on ecological thinking in order to design sustainable treatment systems (see also sanitation systems and sustainable treatment systems). Recycling is an important aspect of ecological sanitation. It is facilitated if the wastewater is source separated. This lecture has focus on source separating systems (such as urine diversion or separate sewers) and recycling of waste and wastewater resources to agriculture (see also linking up sustainable sanitation with water management and agriculture and recharge and reuse). Examples of source separating systems from different parts of the world are presented and it is discussed why some are a success and others not.
Sustainable Wastewater Management in Urban Areas
A document about sustainable wastewater management in urban areas.
JENSSEN, P.D. GREATOREX, J.M. WARNER, W. S. (2004): Sustainable Wastewater Management in Urban Areas. (= Kapitel 4. Kurs WH33, Konzeptionen dezentralisierter Abwasserreinigung und Stoffstrommanagement ). Hannover: University of HannoverGreywater Treatment in Combined Biofilter/Constructed Wetlands in Cold Climate
In Norway systems consisting of an aerobic biofilter followed by a subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetland have been very successful in reducing organic matter, indicator bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorus in greywater. This paper describes design details and performance of biofilter/constructed wetland systems for greywater treatment in cold climates.
JENSSEN, P.D. VRALE, L. (2004): Greywater Treatment in Combined Biofilter/Constructed Wetlands in Cold Climate. In: WERNER, C. (2004): Ecosan - Closing the Loop. Lübeck, Germany: 875-881. URL [Accessed: 21.11.2012]A Complete Recycling (Ecosan) System at Student Dormitories in Norway
This document describes an ecosan recycling system that was implemented in a dormitory of 48 students. It reduced water consumption by 30%, nearly eliminated pollution, and produced valuable plant fertiliser and soil amendment product from the waste material.
JENSSEN, P.D. (2005): A Complete Recycling (Ecosan) System at Student Dormitories in Norway. In: BOHEMEN, H. (2005): Ecological Engineering. Bridging Between Ecology and Civil Engineering. Netherlands: 81-83. URL [Accessed: 06.09.2012]Design and Performance of Waste Stabilization Ponds
Decentralized Urban Greywater Treatment at Klosterenga Oslo
Today it is possible to foresee completely decentralized wastewater treatment systems in urban areas where the blackwater fractions (urine and faecal matter) is reclaimed for fertilizer and potentially energy production. The water from kitchen sinks and showers (greywater) is treated locally in compact low maintenance systems that constitute attractive landscape elements. These systems can coexist with decentralized water supply.
JENSSEN, P. (2005): Decentralized Urban Greywater Treatment at Klosterenga Oslo. In: Ecological Engineering-Bridging between Ecology and Civil Engineering: , 84-86. URL [Accessed: 21.02.2012]Bridging the Disconnect Between Dwindling Global Phosphorus Reserves, Agricultural and Sanitation Practices and Eutrophication
Abstract to a seminar held by EAWAG, the aquatic research institute based in Switzerland, on challenges faced with phosphorus usage.
ROSEMARIN, A. (2010): Bridging the Disconnect Between Dwindling Global Phosphorus Reserves, Agricultural and Sanitation Practices and Eutrophication. Eawag Seminar Invitation. Dübendorf: Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden URL [Accessed: 05.12.2012]Energy Utilization in Crop and Dairy Production in Organic and Conventional Livestock Production Systems
Searching for livestock production systems with a high energy utilization is of interest because of resource use and pollution aspects and because energy use is an indicator of the intensification of production processes. Due to interactions between crop and livestock enterprises and between levels of different input factors and their effects on yields, it is proposed to analyse agricultural energy utilization through system modelling of data from farm studies. Energy use in small grains, grass-clover and fodder beets registered in organic and conventional mixed dairy farms was analysed and used together with crop yields in order to model energy prices on three Danish soil types.
REFSGAARD, K. ; HALBERG, N. ; KRISTENSEN, E.S. (1998): Energy Utilization in Crop and Dairy Production in Organic and Conventional Livestock Production Systems. In: Agricultural Systems: Volume 57 , 599-630. URL [Accessed: 05.12.2012]Reduction Efficiency of Index Pathogens in Dry Sanitation Compared with Traditional and Alternative Wastewater Treatment Systems
Bad water, sanitation and personal hygiene combinedglobally considered as the second major threats to human health. Poor water supply, sanitation, and personal hygiene accounted for 2.6 million deaths and 93 million DALYs in 1990. These were considered the top 2 of risk factor groups for the total global burden of disease. It is therefore of importance to define the efficiency of different treatment and exposure barriers to safeguard against disease transmission.
STENSTRØM, T.A. ECOSANRES (2002): Reduction Efficiency of Index Pathogens in Dry Sanitation Compared with Traditional and Alternative Wastewater Treatment Systems. Solna, Sweden: EcoSanRes URL [Accessed: 28.11.2012]Composting Human Waste from Waterless Toilets
Slides from a presentation held at the 3rd. International Conference on Ecological Sanitation. The presentation describes the concept of professional collection and treatment in a small rural community and the technology involved.
HANSSEN, J.F. PARUCH, A. JENSSEN, P.D. (2005): Composting Human Waste from Waterless Toilets. (= (= Presentation at the 3rd. International Conference on Ecological Sanitation) ). Durban: URL [Accessed: 05.12.2012]