Future sewage sludge generation and sewer pipeline extension in economically developing ASEAN countries

Abstract

Levels of future generation of sewage sludge must be ascertained to ensure safe and effective waste management, particularly for economically developing countries such as those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where wastewater treatment will increase profoundly in the near future. This study estimated the quantity of sewage sludge generation in ASEAN during 2010–2050. Parameters used in the scenario analysis include population (P), per-capita gross domestic product (GDPpc), rate of population in residences connected to wastewater treatment plants (P wwtp %), and sewage sludge generation per capita (SSpc). High sewerage penetration scenarios indicate that the sewage sludge in the ASEAN countries is expected to increase to 24–40 million tonnes per annum (Mt/a) by 2050. Indonesia might contribute the greatest amount of 17.04 Mt/a at mid-century, followed by the Philippines and Vietnam. Because of its small population, Brunei Darussalam will contribute the least. Sewage pipeline length has also been estimated. High-penetration scenarios indicate that the sewer network in ASEAN will surge to 2.3–7 million km long. Because sewage sludge management and development of wastewater infrastructure will play important roles in the ASEAN region, these findings will be informative for wastewater management policies and practices in Southeast Asia.