The afternoon of the third day of the 17th SWWS and 9th ROS Conferences featured a keynote by Christoph Platzer, General Director of "Rotária do Brazil" and an expert in small-scale wastewater treatment and resource-oriented sanitation. Platzer shared the experience of an initiative conducted in Peru involving 800 families in remote areas without access to a sewer network. The adopted solution was the implementation of dry toilets, a technology aimed at providing basic sanitation sustainably without the need for conventional sewage infrastructure.
Based on this experience, Platzer emphasized the importance of understanding what is considered "small" in the context of wastewater treatment. He explained that for low-resource areas, wastewater treatment must be adapted, considering not only the size of the plant but also economic feasibility, social, and environmental impacts.
According to Platzer, a "sustainable small-scale wastewater treatment" is one that meets local needs while ensuring operational efficiency, low cost, and environmental preservation. He stressed that the criteria for small wastewater treatment plants differ significantly from those applied to large treatment facilities. In small communities, treatment must be more affordable, easier to maintain, and adapted to the economic and cultural realities of the population.
Solutions for Small-Scale Sanitation
Platzer outlined four wastewater treatment solutions suitable for small communities and rural areas. "For these solutions to succeed, there must be integration between ecological, social, and economic pillars to ensure effective and inclusive basic sanitation. Economically, this refers to effluent consumption, resource use, and circular economy. Socially, the focus is on affordable tariffs and equitable treatment between urban and rural areas, while ecologically, attention is on installation costs, energy consumption, and sludge disposal," he explained.
The General Director of Rotary Brazil highlighted the need for an integrated approach involving various public and private stakeholders in developing sanitation solutions. "Discussions on wastewater treatment should include not only environmental authorities but also ministries responsible for sanitation and water, as well as essential service companies. Collaboration among these stakeholders is crucial to making dry sanitation and other sustainable alternatives viable in underserved areas," he stated.
Sanitation for All
Platzer concluded his lecture by emphasizing that "sanitation for all" is not limited to extending sewer networks to urban areas. It is also essential to provide suitable solutions for areas without access to conventional infrastructure, such as rural and peripheral zones. "In a world constantly challenged by climate change and resource scarcity, the dry toilet model and other sustainable technologies can represent a significant step forward in ensuring basic sanitation for everyone, without compromising the environment and natural resources," he concluded.
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