28 Aug 2016
11:00
Seminar at World Water Week 2016 // Wastewater Reuse for Enhanced Food and Non-Food Value Chains
The seminar will explore the opportunities of using wastewater and organic waste within multifunctional land-use systems for the production of food and energy crops in urban transition zones in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this approach the wastewater is treated in a target-oriented manner to be used for irrigation and nutrient supply of the respective land-use, considering hygienic as well as environmental aspects.
Treating wastewater in this way is cost-effective and reduces the demand for freshwater and fertilizers, which is particularly important for small-holder farmers. Besides directly contributing to food and energy security, the multi-functional land-use systems will reduce the removal and collection of biomass (for heating and cooking) in the region. This will contribute to sustaining soil fertility and soil-related ecosystem services. Using wastewater in this way will provide opportunities to enhance/develop the value chain of all products (food crops, energy crops, energy from wastewater, etc.). Capacity development at multiple levels is required to implement such an approach in a sustainable manner, which would address major issues of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Marlos de Souza, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Wastewater production and availability: trends and knowledge gaps
Martina Flörke, Center for Environmental Systems Research Incentives for and obstacles towards wastewater treatment and reuse in developing countries
Ines Dombrowsky, German Development Institute Wastewater reuse for protecting natural water resources
Birguy Lamizana, United Nations Environment Programme Wastewater reuse in multifunctional land-use systems promotes water, energy and food security
Tamara Avellán, UNU-FLORES Source: UNU-FLORES website
Speakers
Wastewater reuse as opportunity to boost agricultural productionMarlos de Souza, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Wastewater production and availability: trends and knowledge gaps
Martina Flörke, Center for Environmental Systems Research Incentives for and obstacles towards wastewater treatment and reuse in developing countries
Ines Dombrowsky, German Development Institute Wastewater reuse for protecting natural water resources
Birguy Lamizana, United Nations Environment Programme Wastewater reuse in multifunctional land-use systems promotes water, energy and food security
Tamara Avellán, UNU-FLORES Source: UNU-FLORES website