Regenerative and nature-based water solutions
4 June, 2050
HYDROUSA
Waste water source
Municipal wastewater is collected to be treated afterwards. Rainwater is collected to be directly used for irrigation. There is also a system implemented to collect fresh water out of sea water with a mangrove desalination system. A fog catcher is used to catch water of drinking quality straight out of the air.
Distribution System
Both pipes and an underground distribution systems are used to transport the water. Part of the water distribution channels will be built with locally available stones.
Farming system
Permanent crops like forestry, berries and lavender are irrigated with the reclaimed water. There is also a small plot of arable land with oregano, used to produce essential oils.
Waste water treatment description
Nutrient removal : The UASB reactor does a small part of the total nutrient removal. The larger part is done by a vertical flow wetland and an aerated or bio-electrified wetland.
Pesticide removal : none
Disinfection : Treatment with high rate anaerobic technology (UASB technology) to immobilize micro-organisms.
Suspended solids removal : none
Other : Solar desalination in the mangrove still to produce fresh water
Capacity
Different small projects have different capacities. The wastewater production is around 100 m³/day in summer and 10 m³/day in winter. The full-scale constructed wetland can process the 100 m³/d. The pilot scale bio-electrification constructed wetland system can handle 1 m³/d. At last, there is an aerated constructed wetland with a capacity of 1 m³/d. Yearly 10,000 m³ is reclaimed for reuse. The anaerobic reactor results in a yearly production of biogas worth 10 MWh. The desalination plant produces > 70 m³ of fresh water yearly. Just 10 m³ of reclaimed water is actually destined for drinking water, this is water coming from the vapour catching system. The vapour system catches around 25 m³ of fresh water yearly.
Extent of the agricultural beneficiaries
From the reclaimed wastewater 1 ha of trees and crops is irrigated.
The rainwater harvesting produces enough water to irrigate 0,4 ha of oregano and 0,2 ha of lavender.
Costs
Type of agreement
Scientific results
Several presentations in workshops, conferences, forums and national events.
Additional information
The HYDROUSA project is divided in 6 different action plans. All six action plans are incorporated into a circular model, destined for water sustainability of an off grid location.
Some tourists have complained about a bad smell coming from the wastewater treatment plant.
