WHAT HUMANITARIAN NEED IS BEING ADDRESSED?

WHAT IS THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION BEING ADOPTED AND HOW WILL IT IMPROVE EXISTING HUMANITARIAN PRACTICE?

The project will utilise the existing IOM designed Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (IOM DEWATS). The treatment mechanism works by solids/liquid separation through settlement and filtration as well as some digestion of solids under anaerobic conditions. All material used in this system is locally available, can be constructed in a short period with training, and one system can serve 5,170 users with minimal land required.

This project will upgrade the IOM DEWATS to improve the treatment efficiency with thermophilic anaerobic digestion using solar energy and provide evidence for replication in different contexts. Working with partner the , the project will adapt their innovation of the Solar Septic Tank to use solar energy to inactivate pathogens and increase organic waste digestion. Veolia Foundation will collaborate with IOM to design a new solar power heating system adapted to the existing DEWATS design.

This entirely anaerobic solution can be adapted to densely populated humanitarian contexts with improved results in comparison to aerobic systems which are often less accepted by the host community and affected population. This kind of decentralized system simplifies negotiation with authorities who are often reluctant to allocate large areas of land for a centralized system, and which also requires high investment and skilled operation.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT? 

The research, field testing, and prototyping efforts are expected to yield significant results. We anticipate producing comprehensive materials and outputs that will contribute to the advancement of our project. These outcomes include:

1. Enhanced Community Awareness: Beneficiaries will be well-informed about treatment facility improvements, fostering community engagement and support.
2. Effective Collaboration: Collaborative efforts with the Health Sector, government stakeholders, and the WASH Sector will lead to defined common objectives and a streamlined approach.
3. Informed Decision-Making: A baseline report will provide valuable insights into the impact of increased temperatures in anaerobic treatment systems on pathogen inactivation.
4. Solar Integration: Retrofitting DEWATS with a solar heating system will enhance sustainability and energy efficiency.
5. Optimised Anaerobic Digestion: A research framework will refine results, yielding more accurate evidence for improved thermophilic anaerobic digestion.
6. Technical Guidance: Adapted technical guidance and SOPs will ensure efficient operation, maintenance, and installation of the solar heating system.
7. Institutional Support: Local-level presentations will garner institutional backing for scalable and replicable solutions.
8. Global Reach: Dissemination at regional and global levels, including workshops and participation in the WASH cluster forum, will maximise the project’s impact through knowledge sharing.