(14/11) Guide to Decentralized Wastewater System Management for Developing Countries

Günter Langergraber - Boku University Paula Loureiro Paulo - Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul

The morning of the final day of the 17th SWWS and 9th ROS Conferences featured a keynote by Günter Langergraber, senior scientist at the Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control at BOKU University, Vienna. He presented the DWA Guide – the German Association for Water, Wastewater, and Waste – as a unique and reliable source of data for services and products in the water, wastewater, and waste management sectors.

Langergraber highlighted that the DWA Guide is a widely used and trusted source of technical standards and guidelines for planning and operating decentralized sanitation systems. With 350 directives, the document serves not only as a guide for implementing sanitation solutions but also as a tool for selecting appropriate technologies and best practices for the operation and maintenance of these systems.

Günter emphasized the need for capacity building in technical and personnel management to implement these systems effectively. He stated that ensuring the sustainability of decentralized sanitation systems requires more than implementing suitable technologies; it is essential to invest in education and training programs to equip local teams and improve management. "Coaching and mentoring programs, as well as exchanges with partners and learning networks, are vital alternatives for successfully implementing these systems," said the scientist.

The Austria Case Study

Following the presentation of the DWA Guide, Langergraber shared a case study on the operation and monitoring of small wastewater treatment systems (WWTPs) in Austria. He noted that in Austria, licenses for these systems are granted based on an individualized assessment of each case, taking into account the specific conditions of each region.

He also highlighted that the operational and maintenance requirements for WWTPs are clearly defined in the licenses, and Austrian water and waste management entities offer training courses to ensure that professionals are qualified to operate these systems.

Concluding his presentation, Günter emphasized the importance of including decentralized wastewater systems in the initial planning phases of water management in emerging and developing countries. He stressed that adopting these systems should not be seen as a standalone alternative but as a complement to centralized wastewater treatment systems. "The entire sanitation service chain must be considered, ensuring that technologies can be applied at various stages of this chain to guarantee long-term operational systems," he concluded.

(14/11) Climate Lenses: Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities in Carbon Redirection

Speaker: Florent Chazarenc - INRAE Moderator: Darja Istenič - University of Ljubljana

On Thursday afternoon, Florent Chazarenc, an environmental engineering specialist from the French National Institute for Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Research (INRAE), delivered compelling reflections on global environmental challenges and innovative solutions to mitigate the climate crisis. In a thought-provoking lecture, Chazarenc opened with the question: "Are we destroying the Earth, and why are we doing this?" inviting the audience to reflect on humanity's responsibility for the planet's degradation.

Focusing on urgent issues such as water resource management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency, Chazarenc emphasized that the path to a sustainable future requires innovation and adaptation to new paradigms. "We cannot solve new problems with old solutions," he stated, underlining the need to rethink traditional development models.

Water and Global Warming: Global and Local Challenges

A central theme of his presentation was the increasing pressure on water resources. Chazarenc shared data on countries with the highest water availability and warned of growing demand for these resources in the coming years. The situation will be even more critical in countries most affected by global warming, highlighting South Africa as the leader in climate vulnerability.

Moreover, Chazarenc stressed the urgent need to adapt systems to local realities, considering biodiversity and the specific habitats of each region. Climate change will require solutions that integrate different environmental contexts, focusing on technologies that enhance water efficiency and carbon redirection.

Challenges and Solutions for Latin America

Turning his attention to Latin America, Chazarenc highlighted the region's significant challenges in financing carbon redirection solutions, particularly in the sanitation sector. He pointed out the need for innovative models that address local specificities and overcome barriers such as cultural resistance, regulatory challenges, and market fragmentation.

Chazarenc also underscored the role of the private sector, which, according to him, must be more involved in creating solutions for a sustainable future. He warned that cultural and behavioral resistance, coupled with insufficient regulation, could hinder the implementation of more effective technologies and practices to reduce carbon emissions.

The Future is Decentralized and Nature-Based

Concluding his lecture, Florent Chazarenc emphasized that a sustainable future over the next 50 years will rely on a decentralized model. He argued that approaches to segregating sources of carbon emissions will be crucial for improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. The specialist placed his bets on nature-based solutions and the carbon redirection process. "I believe carbon redirection is a fundamental step toward sustainability. Adaptation and innovation are essential to ensure a viable future for the next generations," he concluded.

(13/11) Water and Leadership: Transforming Lives Through Inclusion and Efficient Management

Mariana Quaresma​ - Global Water Intelligence, Patricio Díaz -Romo - Global Water Intelligence and Syed Salahuddin Ahmed - Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation,

On Wednesday morning, Syed Salahuddin Ahmed, General Director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC), presented at the 17th IWA Small Water and Wastewater Systems and the 9th IWA Resource Oriented Sanitation Conferences. He outlined the company’s structure and highlighted the major challenges it faces in water supply and management in southern Pakistan.

Obsolete infrastructure, large volumes of unbilled water, and the urgent need for capacity building and institutional development were among the critical issues Syed mentioned. "We are working on strategies to increase the available water volume, improve supply and distribution, and implement actions to ensure water quality and filtration processes," said the CEO of Karachi Water.

Enhancing sewer coverage, investing in research to reduce water wastage and pollution, seeking institutional partnerships with government agencies, and using social media to raise public awareness about the importance of rational water use and sanitation were also initiatives cited by Syed. "By 2030, we aim to diversify wastewater management, making waste management more inclusive and sustainable. As part of this agenda, the company has excelled in education and training initiatives focused on institutional development, preparing the region for better water and sanitation management in the future," he affirmed.

Key Initiatives by Karachi Water

The CEO outlined several ongoing initiatives to address the region’s water challenges, including:

• Water Loss Reduction Program: The company is implementing a rigorous program to reduce water losses, directly impacting supply efficiency and system sustainability.

• Construction of a New Canal Hub: A project to expand water distribution capacity by modernizing existing canal infrastructure.

• Strengthening Legislation: The company is working to enhance water resource management legislation, creating a more regulated and secure environment for water and wastewater services.

• Hosting the First Water Summit: Karachi Water led an international event focused on discussing solutions to the water crisis, bringing together sector experts and leaders.

• Participation in the 2024 Tokyo Conference: The company took part in the international water conference, expanding its network and exploring new technological solutions for resource management.

• Investor Visits: Karachi Water has welcomed investors interested in supporting projects, including modernizing the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

Another notable initiative was the development of a women’s training center focused on water and sanitation management. This center aims to create more leadership opportunities for women in water resource management, promoting inclusion and strengthening the role of women in the sector.

The company is also working to revitalize declining industries related to water use by encouraging more efficient water resource management in local industries. Additionally, it has invested in training and developing a digital platform to manage fieldwork effectively.

Following the CEO’s presentation, Mariana Teixeira Quaresma, Brazil Editor of Global Water Intelligence, introduced the editorial line of the publication, which addresses water-related challenges and opportunities. She highlighted data from a study conducted this year across 616 cities in 190 countries on how sanitation tariffs are structured.

Latin America, in particular, ranks third globally in terms of high water tariffs, with the Caribbean leading, followed by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The increase reflects a combination of factors, one of which is the impact of the pandemic. The health crisis led to frozen tariffs during the pandemic’s peak, but as the economy recovers, adjustments are now being made.

Mariana emphasized that the rise in tariffs is not solely due to the cost of water itself but rather the increasingly complex and expensive process of wastewater treatment, driven by new environmental and sanitation requirements.

Another critical point raised by Mariana was the impact of climate change on the water sector. "The growing water scarcity and extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts and floods, have put pressure on water supply systems worldwide. Many cities are raising tariffs not only to cover operational and maintenance costs but also to fund necessary adaptations to mitigate the impacts of climate change," she observed.