Ecosan — Introduction of Closed-Loop Approaches in Wastewater Management and Sanitation — A Supra-Regional GTZ-Project

Abstract

"ecosan - ecologically and economically sustainable wastewater management and sanitation systems" means approaches to bring forward a new philosophy of dealing with what is presently regarded as waste and wastewater. They are based on the systematic implementation of reuse and recycling of nutrients and water as a hygienically safe, closed-loop and holistic alternative to conventional solutions. Ecological sanitation systems enable the recovery of nutrients from human faeces and urine to the benefit of agriculture, thus helping to preserve soil fertility, to assure food security for future generations, to minimize water pollution and to recover bioenergy. They ensure that water is used economically and is recycled in a safe way to the greatest possible extent for purposes as irrigation or groundwater recharge. The main objectives of {GTZ} research and development project "ecosan" include broad knowledge management via a global ecosan network as well as the initiation, implementation and monitoring of appropriate pilot projects in cooperation with local and international partners.