Sustainable wastewater management - treatment and re-use

Wastewater treatment and re-use is increasingly being integrated in the planning and development of water resources, especially in the Mediterranean region.

Due to climatic conditions, countries in southern Europe and in the Mediterranean basin have insufficient water resources and as such are compelled to overcome recurring drought to relieve their community from undue water stress.

In this region therefore, we are forced to search for other non-conventional sources of fresh water that can meet the needs of different sectors in the most economical manner possible.

So far in Malta we depend on ground water and sea water desalination, almost in equal proportions. Treated sewage effluent is still barely being used, notwithstanding the fact that it can easily replace other sources of non-potable water.

In this perspective therefore, the treatment of sewage and the re-use of good-quality effluent by industry and agriculture could contribute to relieve the demand of our current water availability.

Moreover, treated sewage effluent, when treated to specific international standards, will reduce pressure on our heavily exploited aquifiers by providing an alternative source of water that can meet the demand of those sectors still dependent on ground water - namely agriculture and industry.

Furthermore, higher energy costs are also reflecting on higher domestic water charges and operational costs in the industry, especially in tourism.

Water recycling and re-use is meant to help close the water cycle and therefore enable sustainable re-use of available water resources. When integrated to water resources management, water re-use may be considered as an integral part of the environmental pollution control and water management strategy.

It may present benefits to local industry, public health, the environment and economic development. Recycled wastewater may provide significant additional renewable, reliable amounts of water and contribute to the conservation of fresh water resources.

Re-use of treated sewage effluent is one of the options that, when diligently applied, brings economic benefits to all stakeholders by improving efficiency and enhancing the cost-benefit aspect through multiple uses.

Individual water users in industry and agriculture can improve their water-use efficiency and save on water by introducing on-site wastewater treatment recycling processes.

On a national scale, Malta will be commissioning three waste-water treatment plants which, when fully operational, will produce a reliable continuous supply of second-class water all year round, a supply that can be safely used for a variety of non-potable purposes by various sectors.

One major challenge for the success of these treatment plants is the importance of maintaining and servicing our sewerage infrastructure to the highest operational standards.

In fact the Water Services Corporation intends to intensify its controls to regulate all indirect discharges that ultimately reach the treatment facility.

Commercial establishments are required to adhere to effluent discharge standards as stipulated by LN139/2002. Such malpractices are currently inducing a high operational cost that is ultimately borne by all taxpayers and not just by the polluter himself.

On a smaller scale, the treatment of sewage by small establishments also has numerous application possibilities and unlimited benefits in a water conservation perspective. Hotels, factories and farms that treat their own sewage and re-use it on their premises will accrue a substantial saving on water bills, while easing the load on the public potable water supply.

This is an area of activity where private enterprise offers exciting prospects by bringing wastewater re-use within the feasible reach of establishments, while reducing dependency on the public supply.

Even in private residential complexes and villas, wastewater can be treated on site, and the treated wastewater can be used for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.

Such treatment solutions occupy very small footprints and can be installed below ground outside buildings.

In Malta, two of the major renowned hotels, namely the Hilton Hotel in St Julian's and the new Radisson Golden Sands have invested wisely in wastewater treatment technologies, and their hotels are benefiting from considerable operational cost savings.

The treated wastewater is totally disinfected and treated to the highest standards of applications; thus it is safeguarded from any form of health hazard.

The treated wastewater is being re-used for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation among others. Apart from enhancing a 'green hotel' policy, such an investment results in lower operational costs, and a more competitive tourism industry.

Furthermore, even our local manufacturing industry is facing challenges to comply with wastewater discharge standards. In many cases on-site wastewater treatment is not just the formula for compliance, but it can also be utilised as a cost-cutting tool when paybacks result to be within feasible timeframes.

In order to re-use wastewater, it must be treated to a relatively high standard. Though the standard required depends upon the re-use application, there are an increasing number of sites where wastewater is treated to almost potable standards, enabling it to be re-used for almost any application.

On a positive note, small to medium-sized wastewater treatment plant technology is available in Malta. FM Environmental (Malta) Ltd is one of the key players in this sector providing customdesigned wastewater treatment solutions. The company incorporates a number of wastewater treatment technologies that are applied in small to medium-sized packaged plants.

FM Environmental (Malta) Ltd offers various solutions, starting from single-house treatment plants up to facilities for populations of 6,000 inhabitants. The company has been entrusted with a number of projects both locally and overseas.

To face this challenge successfully, a balance needs to be struck between our environmental constraints and economical needs. It is imperative that the local stakeholders harmonise the right policies required for sustainable wastewater management practices.

Introduction of fiscal incentives in wastewater recycling should also be looked into deeply, as these can act as a driving force to encourage the local private sector to invest in such technologies.

Last month a seminar was held on this topic. The seminar - "Sustainable wastewater management: treatment and reuse" - was organised by FM Environmental (Malta) Ltd with the support of the Malta Resources Authority, Water Services Corporation and Hilton Hotel.

marketing@fmenvironmental.com.mt