Nutrient and energy recovery from sewage: towards an integrated approach

Abstract

The transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy has begun, also in South Africa. Wastewater is increasingly viewed as a “water-carried waste”, presenting opportunities for recovery of nutrients and energy, as well as water. Ecologically and economically more sustainable sanitation and wastewater management solutions are being explored and implemented. Amongst the sewage-borne resources, phosphorus is an important, non-substitutable nutrient for all life forms, particularly in the growth of plants, and is therefore essential in ensuring universal food security. Human activities have disturbed the natural phosphorus cycle and remain heavily dependent on mining of non-renewable rock phosphate. As a result, there is a particular interest in phosphorus recovery. This technology transfer report firstly explores phosphate recovery possibilities from wastewater, relative to its potential South African market and developments in wastewater treatment.

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