Decentralized wastewater solutions are gaining in importance
The Eawag Institute, which is active in water research, has developed a toolbox for decentralized wastewater systems. It is intended to inform industry experts about possible technologies and applications.
In Switzerland, as in other European countries, wastewater from households is disposed of and treated centrally. Wastewater from toilets, kitchens, washing machines and dishwashers are mixed together. This makes recycling much more difficult. In order to reduce this problem, researchers at the Eawag water research institute in Dübendorf are working on possible decentralized solutions, according to a press release.
The aim of these solutions is to separate the various wastewater streams at the point of origin. They could then be treated on site or nearby and resources such as clean water, nutrients and energy could be recovered. The Water Research Institute has now launched a toolbox to provide architects and construction planners with an overview of technologies and practical applications. Among other things, it presents various examples of implementation. These range from solutions for individual households to wastewater treatment for entire neighborhoods. The toolbox contains three groups of fact sheets ranging from the definition of objectives and the selection of a strategy to possible application technologies.