WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLE PROJECT
Project budget: P2,250,000.00
- PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The project will provide an environmentally sustainable solution to a waste management and pollution problem at Camphill. Wastewater from the septic tanks is currently disposed of using soakaways that drain into the ground. This could result in pollution of the groundwater aquifer that provides water for the community. It also results in a waste of water that could be treated and used for irrigation.
Camphill has been planning to implement this project for many years. In 2019 a topographic survey was carried out to determine the levels and locations of septic tanks and other relevant features on the site. Based on this a design was prepared for a network of pipelines and manholes to transport the outflow of the septic tanks to a single treatment plant. It was decided that a gravel filter reedbed treatment system would be most appropriate, and a preliminary design was prepared.
This was followed by the Covid 19 epidemic in early 2020 and the project was put on hold until funding could be sourced.
The project was submitted in response to a call for proposals by the National Environment Fund and was approved in May 2023.
The project will be implemented in the following key stages:
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- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Pre-contract design and tender procedure.
- Contract award and construction of pipelines and treatment works.
- Commissioning, testing and adjustments.
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning.
- Training in operation and maintenance.
- Educational activities
- Reporting and documentation
- OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
The key objective is to eliminate the pollution of groundwater by providing an appropriate wastewater treatment system that is environmentally sustainable, low energy and easy to manage. This is a long-term objective.
A secondary objective is to recycle the wastewater following treatment to the required quality standard. The result will be to reduce the use of groundwater and the energy used to pump it to the surface. This is a medium-term objective that will begin when the system is commissioned.
A further objective is to use the opportunity of the project to provide environmental education to children and young people on sustainable methods of waste treatment and recycling. The result will contribute to awareness of the benefits of environmentally sustainable waste management and recycling.
- DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The wastewater treatment system will treat outflows from existing septic tanks that will be piped to a central plant comprising of a buffer tank, and two horizontal flow gravel reedbeds. Additional disinfection of the treated water will make use of calcium hypochlorite to ensure compliance with the standards for water quality for irrigation.
