Using constructed wetlands is one alternative to be addressed at the IQPC wastewater conference in Cairo this October.
As Egypt’s population increases, it puts pressure on the country’s main water source: the Nile River. In addition to general pollution from agricultural runoff and other pollutants, the recent diesel spill north of Aswan demonstrates the challenges of keeping the river fit for consumption. A pair of industrious young students are planning a kayaking trip from Aswan to Alexandria in order to generate better awareness among the populace. However, government action is absolutely critical in order to ensure the river’s long-term sustainability.
Water management
In order to improve the quality of water that eventually seeps back into the Nile, the Egyptian government has to improve its current wastewater treatment infrastructure.
To this end, several heavyweights will introduce their ideas at the upcoming IQPC Conference to be held at the Cairo Ramses Hilton from October 31 to November 3, 2010.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend workshops and presentations and network with other professionals.
Dr. Huseein Abdel Shafy from the Egyptian National Research Center is expected to discuss constructed wetlands as a low-tech alternative to modern treatment methods.
Constructed wetlands
Constructed wetlands consist of plants that are typically found around freshwater systems, such as bulrushes and papyrus. Scientists have learned that these plants are responsible for absorbing the harmful nutrients from agricultural runoff, for example, before they enter into the freshwater system. Additionally, certain bacteria are used to feed on additional nutrients. This is nature’s system, and it is (unsurprisingly) remarkably effective.
The beauty of a wetland system is that it incorporates natural, closed-loop principles and is self-sustaining, therefore requiring very little maintenance. In addition, it is unnecessary to use harmful (and sometimes ineffective) chemicals to treat wastewater.
Dr. Medhat Saleh from El Azhar University will introduce the concept of centralized wastewater treatment systems for rural areas. However, evidence suggests that centralized systems often become overburdened and are expensive to maintain because of the piping necessary to pipe wastewater to one central place.
Even so, discussion and transparency are an important first step to identifying a problem and then implementing plans to resolve it.
Other participants will include the Deputy Chair of the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, the EU Ambassador to Egypt, and the Project Manager for USAID water and wastewater.
:: image via Tafline Laylin and story via Trade Arabia
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Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Nice Article…
Thanks,
Albert.
Thank you for this simply well written, and important article. Just like the article, the concept is simply the best way to deal with our pollutants, along with cutting the uses of them.