Water, Sewage & Effluent March April 2019 | Page 23

2. How do the projections for
community growth impact anticipated
wastewater treatment needs?
Centralised sewers offer the possibility
for large-scale, rapid commercial
and residential growth, but many
communities want to avoid that to retain
historic and community character
or are unable to raise the funds for
large infrastructure improvements.
Decentralised treatment enables
With the number of potential options, it
can be difficult for community leaders
and residents to determine the most
beneficial approach to take. Answering
a few basic questions can help
determine the best solution for each
individual need.
3. What are the true costs?
Cost savings can be a significant
advantage
with
decentralised
treatment. However, regardless of the
selected approach, design, permitting,
legal, land purchase, and construction
costs are all short-term cost factors.
Long-term costs include operation
and maintenance (O&M), licensed
operators, billing structure, district
Forest Lakes Country Club in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a four-season resort community outside Halifax with 2 700 residential units, a
championship golf course, and a Village Centre. It uses a decentralised wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system.
www.waterafrica.co.za
Water Sewage & Effluent March/April 2019
21
innovations
1. What is the current wastewater
treatment challenge(s)?
Officials and residents need to
understand the current problems
Three wastewater treatment
questions for communities
a community to focus on specific
and most critical treatment needs
and allows for smaller design flows
and disposal areas. This places the
financial burden on specific properties
rather than on the whole community.
Communities and individuals should
consult an expert to make the best
choice without being bias-directed
towards only one of the treatment
options.
and shortcomings of the wastewater
treatment system(s) in the community,
including antiquated or non-existent
septic systems, leaking sewers,
an over-capacity system, sewage
overflows, underfunding, watershed
issues, groundwater pollution, nutrient
overloading to sensitive areas, and/or
regulatory non-compliance. Citizens
need to be informed about the options
and costs of proposed solutions
and the local codes governing the
selection.
P
reviously
underdeveloped
countries
are
experiencing
severe environmental challenges
and, in some cases, an influx of
wealth that is raising living standards.
Both situations are placing a demand on
non-existent or limited infrastructure for
water and wastewater treatment. With
running water becoming a norm in homes
and businesses, the need for disposal of
wastewater is paramount, as is the need
for wastewater treatment strategies that
can preserve public health at a low cost.