Water reclamation for industrial use in sub-Saharan Africa – a critical review

Noor Jehan Gulamussen,Nelson Pedro Matsinhe,André Marques Arsénio,Louis Cornelis Rietveld

doi:10.5194/dwes-12-45-2019

Noor Jehan Gulamussen, Nelson Pedro Matsinhe + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/dwes-12-45-2019

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Abstract

Abstract. The increasing world population and growth of industrial development lead to growing water scarcity that, combined with deficient sanitation services, represents serious challenges, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Water reclamation is a promising approach to reduce water scarcity, serving as a driving force for better sanitation services and protecting the environment by treating sewage and redistributing for the benefit of other water-dependent applications (e.g., industries). This paper aims to give an overview of the global trends on water reclamation, with a focus on industrial use, and to derive lessons for implementation of water reclamation projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings show that extensive experience exists in technology and management practices that can allow successful implementation of water reclamation projects in the region. Under the conditions of deficient sanitation services and low levels of technical expertise, the main challenge is to develop a framework that can facilitate the integration of social and technological methodologies and help in introducing water reclamation in water allocation planning, including the development of specific legislation for industrial water use and disposal.

Highlights

The importance of water reclamation as a way of supplementing water supply needs, improving sanitation services through wastewater treatment and disposal, and maintaining a sustainable environment is commonly acknowledged (Kennedy and Tsuchihashi, 2005; Lazarova et al, 2012, 2013; Miller, 2006; Yerri and Piratla, 2019)
Reclaimed water can often be found near the point of use, reducing pumping costs and eliminating the need to negotiate with neighboring countries for increased water supplies (Lee and Tan, 2016; Smith, 2011)
The effluent of the sewage treatment plant is treated by membrane filtration and used by the industry to generate steam, resulting in savings in water for domestic uses and energy, with 65 % less energy consumed at the facility compared to desalination of the same amount of seawater

Summary

Introduction

The importance of water reclamation as a way of supplementing water supply needs, improving sanitation services through wastewater treatment and disposal, and maintaining a sustainable environment is commonly acknowledged (Kennedy and Tsuchihashi, 2005; Lazarova et al, 2012, 2013; Miller, 2006; Yerri and Piratla, 2019). Reclaimed water, originating from sewage, contains nutrients; if this water is used to irrigate agricultural land, less fertilizer is required for crop growth, reducing the level of nutrients and other pollutants entering waterways and sensitive marine environments (Cornejo et al, 2016; Sapkota, 2019; Eslasmain, 2016; Toze, 2006). Reclaimed water can often be found near the point of use, reducing pumping costs and eliminating the need to negotiate with neighboring countries for increased water supplies (Lee and Tan, 2016; Smith, 2011). There are a wide variety of water reclamation applications, including irrigation, industry water supply, non-potable urban uses, environmental and recreational enhancement, and even direct consumption (Angelakis and Gikas, 2014; Lazarova et al, 2012; Van der Bruggen, 2010; USEPA, 2012)

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