1 Course 1 Unit 2 Characteristics of urine, faeces and greywater Content: Part A: Characteristics of urine Part B: Characteristics of faeces Part C: Characteristics.

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Course 1 Unit 2Course 1 Unit 2

Characteristics of urine, faeces and Characteristics of urine, faeces and greywatergreywater Content:Content:Part A: Characteristics of urinePart A: Characteristics of urinePart B: Characteristics of faecesPart B: Characteristics of faecesPart C: Characteristics of greywaterPart C: Characteristics of greywater

Lecturer: Dr. Elisabeth v. MünchLecturer: Dr. Elisabeth v. Münch

[email protected]@unesco-ihe.org

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composting, anaerobic digestion

organic waste

soil improvement,

biogas

Treatmentexamples

Reuse

Substance faeces(brown water)

anaerobic digestion,drying,

composting

biogas, soil

improvement

greywater (shower,

washing, etc.)

irrigation,groundwater

recharge, toilet flushing

urine (yellow water)

N-rich fertiliser

storagefiltration,

biological treatment

rainwater

water supply,groundwater

recharge

Separated „waste“ streams are Separated „waste“ streams are easier to treat and reuseeasier to treat and reuse

constructedwetlands, wastewater

ponds, biol.treatment, membrane

technology

Source: GTZ-ecosan project, resource book

= black water (with small amount of flush water)

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““Waste” streams discussed in this Waste” streams discussed in this lecturelecture

1.1. UrineUrine

2.2. FaecesFaeces

3.3. GreywaterGreywater4.4. Anal washwaterAnal washwater

5.5. Conventional domestic wastewater – Conventional domestic wastewater – for comparison purposesfor comparison purposes

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Nutrients are an important Nutrients are an important component of waste streamscomponent of waste streams

Macronutrients:Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P)Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)Potassium (K) SulphurSulphur Calcium Calcium Magnesium Magnesium

Micronutrients:Micronutrients: Boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, Boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese,

molybdenum and zincmolybdenum and zinc

TN = total nitrogen, e.g. urea-N plus ammonia-N (for urine)TN = total nitrogen, e.g. urea-N plus ammonia-N (for urine)

TP = Total phosphorusTP = Total phosphorus

A fertiliser which contains these three nutrients is called a “complete” fertiliser

Course 1 Unit 2

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Role of measurement parameters for urine, Role of measurement parameters for urine, faeces and greywaterfaeces and greywater

Parameter Purpose of measuring

Dry mass,moisture content (for faeces)

Solids content, mass to be transported

Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), ammonia-N

Nutrient content for fertiliser value (or for pollution potential if discharged to water course)

COD, BOD (chemical / biological oxygen demand)

Organic matter content

VS (volatile solids) Organic matter content

pH pH around neutral is best for reuse

TDS (total dissolved salts) The lower the TDS the better for reuse

Electrical conductivity Proportional to TDS and correlated with ammonia-N

Pathogens (e.g. helminth eggs, E. coli)

Assess public health risk (but needs specialised lab to measure)

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Course 1 Unit 2Course 1 Unit 2

Part A: Characteristics of urinePart A: Characteristics of urine

Most of the data in this part was taken from Jönsson et al. (2004)

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Fresh urineFresh urine

This amount excreted in This amount excreted in one go by one adult in one go by one adult in the morning (full the morning (full bladder!): 730 mLbladder!): 730 mL

pH: 7.7pH: 7.7 TN: 19 g/L (this is TN: 19 g/L (this is

unusually high)unusually high) Ammonia-N: 22 mg/L Ammonia-N: 22 mg/L

(during last IHE lab (during last IHE lab session: ~160 mg/L)session: ~160 mg/L)

Source: own determinations in Source: own determinations in Triqua laboratoryTriqua laboratory

You see here 14 grams of nitrogen!

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Human urine quantity factsHuman urine quantity facts

Human physiology facts:Human physiology facts: The body uses urine as a balancing medium for The body uses urine as a balancing medium for

liquids and saltsliquids and salts The kidneys filter urine from the bloodThe kidneys filter urine from the blood At excretion, the urine pH is normally around 6 At excretion, the urine pH is normally around 6

but can vary between 4.5 – 8.2but can vary between 4.5 – 8.2 Adults excrete about 0.8 – 1.5 L of urine Adults excrete about 0.8 – 1.5 L of urine

per day (children about half that amount) per day (children about half that amount) depending on time, person and depending on time, person and circumstances:circumstances:

Excessive sweating results in concentrated Excessive sweating results in concentrated urineurine

Comsumption of large amounts of liquid Comsumption of large amounts of liquid dilutes the urinedilutes the urine

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Nutrients in human urineNutrients in human urine

Digested nutrients enter the metabolism Digested nutrients enter the metabolism and are excreted mostly with the urine and are excreted mostly with the urine and the rest in faecesand the rest in faeces

Urine contains 88% of excreted N, 67% of Urine contains 88% of excreted N, 67% of excreted P and 73% of excreted K; the excreted P and 73% of excreted K; the remainder is in the faeces remainder is in the faeces

This ratio of nutrient split between urine This ratio of nutrient split between urine and faeces appears to be more or less and faeces appears to be more or less the same worldwidethe same worldwide

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Urea factsUrea facts

Of the nitrogen in fresh urine, 75-90% is in the form Of the nitrogen in fresh urine, 75-90% is in the form of urea; remainder is in the form of ammonium or of urea; remainder is in the form of ammonium or creatininecreatinine

Urea is (NHUrea is (NH22))22CO – an organic nitrogen compound CO – an organic nitrogen compound (contributing to COD(contributing to CODaa content of urine) content of urine)

Urea is easily converted to ammonium by urease in Urea is easily converted to ammonium by urease in the urine piping system or in the sewer the urine piping system or in the sewer

In conventional mixed wastewater, about 78% of the In conventional mixed wastewater, about 78% of the total nitrogen is therefore in the form of ammonia total nitrogen is therefore in the form of ammonia alreadyalready

Urea can be made artificially from ammonia and COUrea can be made artificially from ammonia and CO2 2

and is a popular fertiliser world-wideand is a popular fertiliser world-wide Urea has the highest proportion of N of all liquid Urea has the highest proportion of N of all liquid

fertilisers: 46.4% N in ureafertilisers: 46.4% N in urea

a COD = Chemical Oxygen Demand (see slide 18)

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Urine storageUrine storage

Fresh(24 March 06)

One month old(24 April 06)

Fresh(24 March 06)

One month old(24 April 06)

Three months old(28 June 06)

Note the change in colour, increasing cloudiness, sediments

Course 1 Unit 2

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Processes during urine storageProcesses during urine storage

There is a risk of losing N in the form There is a risk of losing N in the form of ammonia with the ventilated airof ammonia with the ventilated air

Sludge forms where urine usually Sludge forms where urine usually stands for a whilestands for a while

This sludge largely consists of struvite This sludge largely consists of struvite and apatiteand apatite

It is formed because the pH of the It is formed because the pH of the urine increases to 9-9.3 due to the urine increases to 9-9.3 due to the degradation of urea to ammonium and degradation of urea to ammonium and at this high pH, precipitation of P, Mg, at this high pH, precipitation of P, Mg, Ca and NHCa and NH44 occurs occurs

Urine is very corrosive (use plastic or Urine is very corrosive (use plastic or high quality concrete for storage, not high quality concrete for storage, not metals)metals)

Sludge/precipitates

Ammonia (gas)

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Pathogens in urinePathogens in urine

Pathogen types: bacteria, viruses, Pathogen types: bacteria, viruses, parasitic protozoa and helminthsparasitic protozoa and helminths

Number of pathogens in urine is very lowNumber of pathogens in urine is very low One pathogen of concern is Schistosoma One pathogen of concern is Schistosoma

haematobium (causing bilharziasis), haematobium (causing bilharziasis), where eggs can be excreted in the urinewhere eggs can be excreted in the urine

In areas where this pathogen is endemic, urine In areas where this pathogen is endemic, urine should not be used near freshwater sourcesshould not be used near freshwater sources

Hygiene risks associated with diverted Hygiene risks associated with diverted urine are mainly a result of urine are mainly a result of contamination by faecescontamination by faeces

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Chemical contaminants in urineChemical contaminants in urine

Heavy metalsHeavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd): (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd): Urine contains substances that have entered the Urine contains substances that have entered the

metabolism and therefore the levels of heavy metals metabolism and therefore the levels of heavy metals in urine are very lowin urine are very low

Hormones (endocrine disrupters) and Hormones (endocrine disrupters) and pharmaceuticals:pharmaceuticals:

A large proportion of the hormones produced by our A large proportion of the hormones produced by our bodies and the pharmaceuticals that we consume are bodies and the pharmaceuticals that we consume are excreted with the urineexcreted with the urine

Hormones and pharmaceuticals are degraded in Hormones and pharmaceuticals are degraded in natural environments with a diverse microbial activitynatural environments with a diverse microbial activity

Urine is mixed into the active topsoil and retained for Urine is mixed into the active topsoil and retained for months (see Course 3 “Reuse of ecosan products in months (see Course 3 “Reuse of ecosan products in agriculture”)agriculture”)

It is far better to recycle urine to arable land than to It is far better to recycle urine to arable land than to flush the hormones and pharmaceuticals into recipient flush the hormones and pharmaceuticals into recipient waterswaters

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Pharmaceutical residues in urine Pharmaceutical residues in urine (continued from previous slide)(continued from previous slide)

You are more likely to find pharmaceutical You are more likely to find pharmaceutical residues in groundwater (e.g. in Berlin!) residues in groundwater (e.g. in Berlin!) than in food crops fertilised with ecosan than in food crops fertilised with ecosan productsproducts

The load of pharmaceutical residues from The load of pharmaceutical residues from animal manure which is freely spread on animal manure which is freely spread on land has never concerned anyoneland has never concerned anyone

Some research is ongoing in Europe on this aspect, but it Some research is ongoing in Europe on this aspect, but it is not an important research question for me; I think it is is not an important research question for me; I think it is rather driven by some unfounded fears of human urine rather driven by some unfounded fears of human urine and some scientists who like to spend money on and some scientists who like to spend money on expensive analytical chemistry instruments (??)…expensive analytical chemistry instruments (??)…

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Nutrient excretion by humans is directly linked Nutrient excretion by humans is directly linked to dietto diet

Diet is the main factor for amount of nutrients Diet is the main factor for amount of nutrients excretedexcreted

Relationship to calculate the amount of nutrients Relationship to calculate the amount of nutrients excreted (in total) from the food intake:excreted (in total) from the food intake:N = 0.13 x total food proteinN = 0.13 x total food protein

P = 0.011 x (total food protein + vegetal food protein)P = 0.011 x (total food protein + vegetal food protein) FAO statistics are available for food supply for FAO statistics are available for food supply for

different countries (see www.fao.org)different countries (see www.fao.org)

N

NP

P

DietExcreta

Course 1 Unit 2

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Estimated excretion of nutrients per capita Estimated excretion of nutrients per capita in different countries based on diet in different countries based on diet

(using data and correlation mentioned on(using data and correlation mentioned on previous slide)previous slide)

Source: Jönsson et al. (2004), page 6

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Table 1: Excreted mass of nutrients in Table 1: Excreted mass of nutrients in urineurine per year (typical values for Sweden)per year (typical values for Sweden)

Wet mass kg/cap/yr 550

Volume L/cap/yr 550

Dry mass kg/cap/yr 21

Total nitrogen (TN) kg/cap/yr 4

Total phosphorus (TP) kg/cap/yr 0.37

Potassium (K) kg/cap/yr 1

COD kg/cap/yr 3.6

BOD kg/cap/yr 1.8

Useful for calculating crop demand or area requiredfor application.Source: Jönsson et al. (2004), and Otterpohl (2003) for COD data; BOD assumed to be half of CODCOD and BOD are measures of organic content; see lecture on “Fundamentals of conventional biological wastewater treatment”

Values are country-specific or diet-specific (treat as guideline only!)

cap = capita = person

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Table 2: Urine data - same data as in Table 2: Urine data - same data as in Table 1 but per dayTable 1 but per day

Wet mass g/cap/d 1507

Volume L/cap/d 1.5

Dry mass g/cap/d 57.5

Total nitrogen (TN) g/cap/d 11.0

Total phosphorus (TP) g/cap/d 1.0

Potassium (K) g/cap/d 2.7

COD g/cap/d 9.9

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Table 3: Urine data - same data as in Table 1 Table 3: Urine data - same data as in Table 1 but given as concentrationsbut given as concentrations

Dry mass mg/L 38200

Total nitrogen (TN) mg/L 7300

Total phosphorus (TP) mg/L 670

Potassium (K) mg/L 1800

COD mg/L 6500

BOD mg/L 3250

pH - 6 (4.5 – 8.2)

Own determinations:

COD mg/L 5,200 – 10,300

VS (volatile solids) content % 16-32

Electrical conductivity (EC) S/cm 10,600 – 25,100

TDS (total dissolved solids) mg/L7,800 – 18,000

Concentrations are useful when working with urine of unknown number of people

Results from lab session on 20 Sept 06 with 18 MSc students

Urine is “very salty”

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Some additional information on TDS Some additional information on TDS and ECand EC

For conventional wastewater, the following For conventional wastewater, the following relationship holds (Metcalf and Eddy, page 56)relationship holds (Metcalf and Eddy, page 56)

TDS (mg/L) ~= EC (TDS (mg/L) ~= EC (S/cm) x (0.55 – 0.70) or S/cm) x (0.55 – 0.70) or EC (EC (S/cm) ~= 1.6 x TDS (mg/L)S/cm) ~= 1.6 x TDS (mg/L)

Urine is not to be used as irrigation water, but as a Urine is not to be used as irrigation water, but as a fertiliserfertiliser

Nevertheless, the classification of water in regards to Nevertheless, the classification of water in regards to saltiness is shown below for comparison purposes:saltiness is shown below for comparison purposes:

Name of water TDS (mg/L)

Non-saline < 500

Slightly saline > 500 – 1,500

Moderately saline > 1,500 – 7,000

Highly saline > 7,000 – 15,000

Very highly saline > 15,000 – 35,000

Seawater > 35,000

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Course 1 Unit 2Course 1 Unit 2

Part B: Characteristics of faecesPart B: Characteristics of faeces

Most of the data in this part was taken from Jönsson et al. (2004)

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Faeces quantity and contentFaeces quantity and content

Faeces consist mainly of non-matabolised Faeces consist mainly of non-matabolised material combined with some matabolised material combined with some matabolised materialmaterial

Undigested nutrients are excreted with the Undigested nutrients are excreted with the faecesfaeces

The lower the digestibility of the diet, the higher The lower the digestibility of the diet, the higher the mass of faeces excreted per day (e.g. Sweden the mass of faeces excreted per day (e.g. Sweden 51 kg/cap/yr (wet mass), China 115 kg/cap/yr, 51 kg/cap/yr (wet mass), China 115 kg/cap/yr, Kenya 190 kg/cap/yr)Kenya 190 kg/cap/yr)

Extremely high number of many different Extremely high number of many different pathogenspathogens

Heavy metal content in faeces is higher than in Heavy metal content in faeces is higher than in urine (heavy metals pass through the intestine urine (heavy metals pass through the intestine unaffected)unaffected)

Concentrations of contaminating substance in Concentrations of contaminating substance in faeces are usually lower than in chemical faeces are usually lower than in chemical ferilisers (e.g. cadmium) and farmyard manureferilisers (e.g. cadmium) and farmyard manure

Course 1 Unit 2

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What does it look like when faeces What does it look like when faeces dry out?dry out?

(Children have no problem with faeces…)

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Air drying of faecesAir drying of faeces

Fresh faeces(14 May 06)

2 days old(16 May 06)

2 weeks old(1 June 06)

6 weeks old(28 June 06)

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After two weeks of drying: appears totally dry,

Trial # 1Faeces of a 2.5 year old girl

Dead flies: container was covered but holes in lid, flies could not get out (??)

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Data of own faeces drying trialsData of own faeces drying trials

Start End

Trial # 1 (drying time 14 days)

Weight (g) 60 15

Water lost (g) 45 g

Moisture (calculated) (%) 75

Dimensions (cm) 4 x 6 x 2.5 3 x 4.5 x 2

Volume (mL) 60 27

Density (kg/L) 1.17 0.55

Trial # 2 (drying time 12 days)

Weight 70 20

Moisture (calculated) (%) 71

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Table 4: Excreted mass of nutrients in Table 4: Excreted mass of nutrients in faecesfaeces per year (typical values for Sweden) per year (typical values for Sweden)

Wet mass kg/cap/yr 51

Volume (at excretion i.e. before drying)

L/cap/yr 51

Dry mass kg/cap/yr 11

Total nitrogen kg/cap/yr 0.55

Total phosphorus kg/cap/yr 0.18

Potassium kg/cap/yr 0.4

COD kg/cap/yr 14

BOD kg/cap/yr 7

Useful for calculating crop demand or area required for applicationSource: Jönsson et al. (2004), and Otterpohl (2003) for CODBOD assumed to be half of COD

Values are country-specific or diet-specific (treat as guideline only!)

= weight of a medium-weight backpack

Course 1 Unit 2

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Table 5: Faeces data - same data as Table 5: Faeces data - same data as in Table 4 but per dayin Table 4 but per day

Wet mass g/cap/d 140

Volume (at excretion) L/cap/d 0.1

Dry mass g/cap/d 30

Total nitrogen g/cap/d 1.5

Total phosphorus g/cap/d 0.5

Potassium g/cap/d 1.1

COD g/cap/d 39

this is the mass of wet faecal matter excreted per person per day

this is the mass of faeces after drying, per person per day (= a letter containing 6 DIN-A4 pages)

For comparison: solid waste production is 200 – 500 g/cap/d in cities in India(Source: Rothenberger et al., 2006, page 93)

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Table 6: Faeces data - same data as in Table 4 but Table 6: Faeces data - same data as in Table 4 but given as concentrations in g/kg wet massgiven as concentrations in g/kg wet mass

Dry mass (at excretion)

g/kg 216

Total nitrogen (TN) g/kg 11

Total phosphorus (TP)

g/kg 4

Potassium g/kg 8

Moisture content % 78

Dry matter content (at excretion)

% 22

pH - 7 – 9 (?)

Useful when working with faeces of unknown number of people

How to measure the How to measure the organic contentorganic content (COD and BOD were (COD and BOD were developed for liquids)? developed for liquids)? Volatile solids content or ignition loss; Volatile solids content or ignition loss; TOCTOCHow to measure How to measure pHpH? Dilution with water + shaking, or pH meter ? Dilution with water + shaking, or pH meter for soilfor soil

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Course 1 Unit 2Course 1 Unit 2

Part C: Characteristics of greywaterPart C: Characteristics of greywater

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Greywater - definitionGreywater - definition

Greywater is domestic Greywater is domestic wastewater with no or wastewater with no or minimal human excrementsminimal human excrements

Sources are kitchens, baths, Sources are kitchens, baths, showers, laundry, washingshowers, laundry, washing

Some faecal matter enters if Some faecal matter enters if nappies are washed in the nappies are washed in the laundry for examplelaundry for example

(households where people use (households where people use pit latrines generate pit latrines generate greywater automatically)greywater automatically)

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Greywater quantities generatedGreywater quantities generated

Range: 60 – 275 L/cap/d (depending on country Range: 60 – 275 L/cap/d (depending on country and wealth/attitude of user)and wealth/attitude of user)

Some new houses in Germany, Norway, Some new houses in Germany, Norway, Sweden: less than 100 L/cap/dSweden: less than 100 L/cap/d

Rural Jordan example: 20 L/cap/d (water is Rural Jordan example: 20 L/cap/d (water is precious, so is used several times)precious, so is used several times)

Note: Basic lifeline water requirement: 25 or Note: Basic lifeline water requirement: 25 or 50 L/cap/d (Gleick, 1998)50 L/cap/d (Gleick, 1998)

For comparison: Drinking water requirement: For comparison: Drinking water requirement: 3-5 L/cap/d3-5 L/cap/d

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Greywater characteristics: organic Greywater characteristics: organic matter, nutrients, pollutantsmatter, nutrients, pollutants

Organic matter (BOD)Organic matter (BOD): High concentrations of : High concentrations of easily degradable organic material, e.g. fat, oil easily degradable organic material, e.g. fat, oil and other organic substances from cooking, and other organic substances from cooking, residues from soap, shampoos and tensides from residues from soap, shampoos and tensides from detergentsdetergents

NutrientsNutrients:: Nitrogen levels lowNitrogen levels low Phosphorus input from washing and dish-washing Phosphorus input from washing and dish-washing

powder (for water softening) – some countries, e.g. powder (for water softening) – some countries, e.g. Norway, have banned washing powder containing PNorway, have banned washing powder containing P

Metals and other toxic pollutantsMetals and other toxic pollutants: Metals : Metals originating from water itself, corrosion of pipe originating from water itself, corrosion of pipe system, dust, cutlery, dyes, shampoos (similar to system, dust, cutlery, dyes, shampoos (similar to conventional wastewater)conventional wastewater)

Source: Ridderstolpe (2004)

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Greywater characteristics: pathogensGreywater characteristics: pathogens

Proportion of pathogens is low (some Proportion of pathogens is low (some faecal contamination possible)faecal contamination possible)

Greywater has lower pathogen content than Greywater has lower pathogen content than effluent from most advanced wastewater effluent from most advanced wastewater treatment plants treatment plants

Amount of faeces in greywater:Amount of faeces in greywater: Based on measured faecal sterols, the Based on measured faecal sterols, the

estimate is that about 0.04 g/cap/d of faeces is estimate is that about 0.04 g/cap/d of faeces is mixed into the greywater mixed into the greywater

Note: use of indicator bacteria might be Note: use of indicator bacteria might be misleading to measure the amount of faeces in misleading to measure the amount of faeces in greywater because of growth on organic greywater because of growth on organic matter that is contained in greywatermatter that is contained in greywater

Source: Ridderstolpe (2004)

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Table 7: Greywater characteristicsTable 7: Greywater characteristics

Volume L/cap/d60 - 275

Total suspended solids (TSS)

mg/L 365

Total nitrogen (TN)

mg/L 6

Total phosphorus (TP)

mg/L 3

Potassium mg/L 15

COD mg/L 562

BOD mg/L 281

pH - 7-8

Only to provide an idea – highly variable and dependent on water use patterns

Concentrations are based on Otterpohl (2003) mass flows, and flowrate of 60 L/cap/d

Course 1 Unit 2

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Anal cleansing materials used world-Anal cleansing materials used world-widewide

Toilet paperToilet paper: collect in faeces compartment if : collect in faeces compartment if material to be composted or incinerated, material to be composted or incinerated, otherwise store separatelyotherwise store separately

WaterWater (see next slide) (see next slide) Vegetable materials: collect in faeces Vegetable materials: collect in faeces

compartmentcompartment Stones or rags: collect separatelyStones or rags: collect separately Newspaper, card board: treat same as toilet Newspaper, card board: treat same as toilet

paperpaper

Note: absence of anal cleansing material next to the Note: absence of anal cleansing material next to the toilet can lead to higher incidence of diarrhoea toilet can lead to higher incidence of diarrhoea (Herbst, 2006)(Herbst, 2006)

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Anal washwaterAnal washwater

Origin: Practise of many cultures (e.g. Origin: Practise of many cultures (e.g. Muslims and Buddhists) to wash anal Muslims and Buddhists) to wash anal area after defecating and after urinatingarea after defecating and after urinating

= Water with a low level of faecal matter= Water with a low level of faecal matter Treatment methods for anal washwater Treatment methods for anal washwater

similar to those for greywater, e.g. similar to those for greywater, e.g. constructed wetlands, soil infiltrationconstructed wetlands, soil infiltration

Poorly characterised (few studies)Poorly characterised (few studies) Should not be mixed with urine; can be Should not be mixed with urine; can be

mixed with greywatermixed with greywater

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Table 8: Summary table of mass of Table 8: Summary table of mass of nutrients in urine, faeces and greywaternutrients in urine, faeces and greywater

Parameter Unit Urine Faeces Total% in

urine

Grey-water

Wet mass kg/cap/yr 550 51 601 92% 21900

Volume (before drying)

L/cap/yr 550 51 601 92% 21900

Dry mass kg/cap/yr 21 11 32 66% 8

Total nitrogen kg/cap/yr 4 0.55 4.55 88% 0.14

Total phosphorus kg/cap/yr 0.37 0.18 0.55 67% 0.08

Potassium kg/cap/yr 1 0.4 1.4 71% 0.32

COD kg/cap/yr 3.6 14 17.7 20% 12

BOD kg/cap/yr 1.8 7 8.85 20% 6.2

For greywater used 60 L/cap/d (quite low consumption)Source: Jönsson et al. (2004), and Otterpohl (2003) for greywater data and COD. BOD assumed to be half of COD

40

24,0

00 –

100

,000

L

/cap

/yr

500 L/cap/yr 50 L/cap/yr

Source: Otterpohl (2003)

Volume of greywater, urine and faecesVolume of greywater, urine and faeces

greywater urine faeces

Note large variation in volume (related to country and standard of living) – 66 to 274 L/cap/d

L/c

ap

/ year

Course 1 Unit 2

Can be a good source of irrigation water if managed safely

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0

6

N

P

K

Mass of nutrientsMass of nutrients

greywater urine faeces

Source: Otterpohl (2003)

kg

/cap

/ year

This is a „complete“ fertiliser (= containing N, P, K)

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0

20

Mass of organic matter (COD)Mass of organic matter (COD)

Source: Otterpohl (2003)

kg

/cap

/ year

greywater urine faecesHighly beneficial when applied to soil as soil conditioner (see Course 3 Unit 1 „Reuse of ecosan products in agriculture)

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For comparison: conventional For comparison: conventional domestic wastewaterdomestic wastewater

Wastewater from households connected Wastewater from households connected to a sewer system, without any to a sewer system, without any separation of waste streamsseparation of waste streams

Polluted water with high levels of Polluted water with high levels of pathogenspathogens

Large volumes that need treatmentLarge volumes that need treatment Industrial effluent (untreated or pre-Industrial effluent (untreated or pre-

treated) is mostly mixed together with treated) is mostly mixed together with domestic wastewaterdomestic wastewater

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Table 9: Overview of characteristics Table 9: Overview of characteristics of “waste” streamsof “waste” streams

Parameter (concentrations)

Urine Faeces Grey-water

Convent. domestic

ww

Organic solid waste

TSS L N/A M M N/A

Nitrogen H M L M M

Phosphorus L M M M L

Organic matter (COD, BOD)

L H M H H

Pathogens L H L H L

Heavy metals

L L M M L

L LowM MediumH HighN/A Not applicable

Toxic substances: heavy metals, pesticides, chlorinated organic compounds etc.

Course 1 Unit 2

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Table 10: Comparison with Table 10: Comparison with conventional domestic wastewaterconventional domestic wastewater

Parameter Urine Faeces Greywater Convent. domestic wwa

Volume, L/cap/year

550 51 24,000 – 100,000

95,000

Nitrogen, kgN/cap/year

4.0 0.55 0.14 5.8

Phosphorus, kgP/cap/year

0.37 0.18 0.08 0.5

Organic matter, kgCOD/cap/year

3.6 14 12 55

Source: Otterpohl (2003)(for faeces, urine and greywater data)

a For US conditions: 260 L/cap/d, 16 gN/cap/d, 1.5 g P/cap/d,68 gBOD/cap/d, 150 gCOD/cap/d

cap = capita = person

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ReferencesReferences

Gleick, P. H. (1998) The human right to water,Gleick, P. H. (1998) The human right to water, Water Policy 1, p. 487-503 Water Policy 1, p. 487-503 Herbst, S. (2006) Water, sanitation, hygiene and diarrheal diseases in the Aral Sea Herbst, S. (2006) Water, sanitation, hygiene and diarrheal diseases in the Aral Sea

area (Khorezm, Uzbekistan). PhD thesis, University of Bonn (available: area (Khorezm, Uzbekistan). PhD thesis, University of Bonn (available: [email protected])[email protected])

JJöönsson, H, Richert Stinzing, A., Vinneras, B., Salomon, E. (2004) nsson, H, Richert Stinzing, A., Vinneras, B., Salomon, E. (2004) Guidelines on the Guidelines on the Use of Urine and Faeces in Crop ProductionUse of Urine and Faeces in Crop Production, Stockholm Environment Institute (get , Stockholm Environment Institute (get from www.ecosanres.org)from www.ecosanres.org)

Otterpohl, R. (2003) New technological development in ecological sanitation. Otterpohl, R. (2003) New technological development in ecological sanitation. Proceedings of 2nd international symposium on ecological sanitation, April 2003, Proceedings of 2nd international symposium on ecological sanitation, April 2003, Lübeck, Germany, p. 455 Lübeck, Germany, p. 455 (in IHE library)(in IHE library)

Ridderstolpe, P. (2004) Ridderstolpe, P. (2004) Introduction to greywater managementIntroduction to greywater management, Stockholm , Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden (get from www.ecosanres.org)Environment Institute, Sweden (get from www.ecosanres.org)

Rothenberger, S., Zurbrügg, C., Enayetullah, I., and Maqsood Sinha, A. H. M. (2006) Rothenberger, S., Zurbrügg, C., Enayetullah, I., and Maqsood Sinha, A. H. M. (2006) Decentralised composting for cities of low- and middle-income countries - A users' Decentralised composting for cities of low- and middle-income countries - A users' manual, Eawag/Sandec (Switzerland) and Waste Concern (Bangladesh), Dübendorf, manual, Eawag/Sandec (Switzerland) and Waste Concern (Bangladesh), Dübendorf, Switzerland. Available: Switzerland. Available: www.sandec.ch..

Tchobanoglous, G., Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D. (2003) Wastewater Engineering, Tchobanoglous, G., Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D. (2003) Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf & EddyMetcalf & Eddy, Inc., McGraw-Hill, 4th edition. , Inc., McGraw-Hill, 4th edition. Good book on Good book on conventional wastewater treatmentconventional wastewater treatment