Misguided technology choices throwing fat in municipal fire

Abstract

Wastewater treatment Misguided technology choices throwing fat in municipal fire Inappropriate technology choices made by ill-informed local authorities could further harm the already beleaguered South African municipal wastewater treatment sector and the efforts of the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) Green Drop programme. This is one of the findings of a newly published investigation, funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC), into the drivers of wastewater technology selection in municipalities. Lani van Vuuren reports. Poor wastewater treatment not only threatens the health of surrounding communities, but also the ability of South Africa’s receiving water systems to continue supporting people and ecosystems. It is not only the management, operation and maintenance aspects of wastewater treatment that are of importance to ensure performance, but perhaps more importantly, what kind of wastewater technology is implemented in the first place, and whether this technology suits the municipality which will be responsible for managing it.

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