Perspectives are different frameworks from which to explore the knowledge around sustainable sanitation and water management. Perspectives are like filters: they compile and structure the information that relate to a given focus theme, region or context. This allows you to quickly navigate to the content of your particular interest while promoting the holistic understanding of sustainable sanitation and water management.
This paper describes the importance of small-scale decentralised wastewater treatment using reed bed treatment systems (constructed wetlands) in Nepal. It shows how public/community participation can support small-scale construction work while ensuring checks on quality and price of construction, including examples.
ENPHO (n.y): Decentralised Wastewater Management Using Constructed Wetlands. Kathmandu: Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Sequential precipitation of phosphorus (SEPHOS Process) seems to be promising. The generated product, an “aluminium phosphate”, is a valuable raw material for the phosphorus industry. After alkaline treatment of the “aluminium phosphate”, it is possible to precipitate phosphorus as calcium phosphate (advanced SEPHOS Process). Following acidic elution of the ash, nano-filtration can also be used to separate phosphorus.
SCHAUM, C. CORNEL, P. NORBERT, J. (n.y): Phosphorus Recovery from Sewage Sludge Ash – A Wet Chemical Approach. Darmstadt/Essen: Technische Universität Darmstadt/Ruhrverband URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Despite the production of more food and extraction of more water globally, wetlands continue to decline and public health and living standards for many do not improve. Why is this – and what needs to change to improve the situation? If we manage wetlands better, can we improve the health and well-being of people? Indeed, why is this important? This report seeks to address these questions.
HORWITZ, P. FINLAYSON, M. WEINSTEIN, P. (2012): Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People: A Review of Wetlands and Human Health Interactions. Ramsar Technical Report No. 6. Gland and Geneva: Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and The World Health Organization (WHO) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
A guide to build, operate and maintain a low-cost medical waste incinerator.
PRACTICAL ACTION (2000): Low-Cost Medical Waste Incinerator. Rugby: Practical Action URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Solid waste management is in crisis in many of the world’s largest urban areas as populations attracted to cities continue to grow. This has led to ever increasing quantities of domestic solid waste while space for disposal decreases. This report should be used with caution since both technical and financial feasibility are very site-specific. Readers with general interest and technical specialists will find this report useful in making their assessments. A comprehensive solid waste management program may include several options phased in over a long period of time during which refuse quantities, constituents and the overall economic picture may change significantly. This uncertainty and associated risks must be incorporated into the planning process.
WORLDBANK (1999): Municipal Solid Waste Incineration. Washington D.C.: The World Bank URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
This case study gives information about a belt press system (description, O&M, costs, etc.) and summarises the selection criteria.
FSA (2002): Case Study 8 – Belt Press. In: FSA Environmental: Volume 8 URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
This document provides brief descriptions of 17 wetland treatment systems from that are providing significant water quality benefits while demonstrating additional benefits such as wildlife habitat. The projects described include systems involving both constructed and natural wetlands, habitat creation and restoration, and the improvement of municipal effluent, urban stormwater and river water quality. Each project description was developed by individuals directly involved with or very familiar with the project in a format that could also be used as a stand-alone brochure or handout for project visitors.
U.S. EPA (1993): Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment and Wildlife Habitat. Washington DC: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
The collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of solid wastes, particularly wastes generated in medium and large urban centres, have become a relatively difficult problem to solve for those responsible for their management. The problem is even more acute in economically developing countries, where financial, human, and other critical resources generally are scarce. This publication has been prepared primarily for two audiences: 1) decision-makers and policy makers, and 2) professionals involved in the management of solid wastes. The information in the publication would also be useful to students in environmental engineering. The material is presented such that most chapters need not be read in any particular sequence. However, if a formal class is based on the book, the chapters should be covered in sequential order.
UNEP (2005): Solid Waste Management. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
The incinerator industry often promotes incinerators as having “zero emissions” or as being “safe for community health”. The truth, however, is that all incinerators contaminate people and the environment with toxic and cancer-causing emissions.
GAIA (2008): Incinerators Trash Community Health. Quezon City: Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Case study on constructed wetlands for a peri-urban housing area. Septic tanks are used to pre-treat the sewage. The pre-treated wastewater is transported through a small-bore sewer system.
LIPKOW, U. MUENCH, E. von (2010): Constructed Wetland for a Peri-urban Housing Area Bayawan City, Philippines. (= SuSanA – Case Studies ). Eschborn: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
In July 2012, a team from RTI International deployed to the Philippines to evaluate four FSM programs with the goal of reporting on best practices and lessons learned. The four cases—Dumaguete City, San Fernando City, Maynilad Water for the west zone of metro Manila, and Manila Water from the east zone of metro Manila—were chosen to highlight their different approaches to implementing FSM.
ROBBINS, D. STRANDE, L. DOCZI, J. (2012): Opportunities in Fecal Sludge Management for Cities in Developing Countries: Experiences from the Philippines. North Carolina: RTI International URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Within the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) financed project on “Advice on the Decentralisation of the Water and Sewerage Sector in Albania” the GIZ and MPWT (Albanian Ministry of Public Works and Transport) initiated the pilot constructed wetland to raise awareness for low cost, appropriate and decentralised sanitation technologies in line with EU standards. It is aimed to be used as a model treatment plant by the main actors of the sector for training, demonstration, research and replication in peri-urban and rural areas of Albania.
GJINALI, E. NIKLAS, J. (2009): Wastewater treatment using constructed wetlands Tirana, Albania - draft. (= SuSanA - Case Studies ). Eschborn: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
The underlying philosophy of phytoremediation research at UFZ (Centre for Environmental Research) is to exploit and to optimise the processes in the rhizosphere. Low-cost, simple systems will be developed to control the environmental problems of different countries in several continents irrespective of their industrial capabilities and conditions – without losing sight of the key principle of cleaning up polluted environmental media in a natural, ecologically balanced way.
KUSCHK, P. WIESSNER, A. MUELLER, R. KAESTNER, M. (2005): Constructed Wetlands – Treating Wastewater with Cenoses of Plants and Microorganisms. Leipzig-Halle: UFZ Centre for Environmental Research URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]The sanitation decision tool is based on the Eawag Sanitation Compendium and aims to give support in choosing the right sanitation chain components, from a spectrum of options. It shall help the user to find a tailored solution suitable for the specific context that the sanitation system will be placed in. The tool exists as a print and digital version.
A portable toilet appropriate for disaster response is presented in this report. The urine is diverted and the feces undergo a lactofermentation process. Biochar is added also to the feces to eliminate odor and facilitate the reuse of the excreta as a soil additive. The design, costs, logistics and expected challenges are discussed.
KINSTEDT, K. (2012): Design of a Portable Ecological Sanitation Toilet for Disaster Relief. Hamburg: Institute of Wastewater Management and Water Protection at the Technical University of Hamburg URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]