Wastewater - Turning Problem to Solution

A Rapid Response AssessmentTurning Problem to SolutionWastewater © 2023 United Nations Environment ProgrammeISBN: 978-92-807-4061-5Job number: DEP/2559/NADOI: https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/43142This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit services without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The United Nations Environment Programme would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the United Nations Environment Programme. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to unep-communication-director@un.org.DisclaimersThe designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory or city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.Mention of a commercial company or product in this document does not imply endorsement by the United Nations Environment Programme or the authors. The use of information from this document for publicity or advertising is not permitted. Trademark names and symbols are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of trademark or copyright laws.The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Environment Programme. We regret any errors or omissions that may have been unwittingly made.The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.© Maps, photos and illustrations as specifiedSuggested citation:United Nations Environment Programme (2023). Wastewater – Turning Problem to Solution. A UNEP Rapid Response Assessment. Nairobi. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/43142Production: Nairobi, KenyaURL: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/43142This is a flagship product of the Global Wastewater Initiative AcknowledgementsSupervision and coordination: Leticia Carvalho, Tessa Goverse, Heidi Savelli-Soderberg, Alex Pires, Riccardo Zennaro, and Avantika Singh and Josephine Nduguti (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP])Project management: Kristina Thygesen (GRID-Arendal)Editors: Emily Corcoran, Elaine Baker, Kristina Thygesen (GRID-Arendal)Contributing authors:Aviad Avraham (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)Elaine Baker (GRID-Arendal)Roy Bernstein (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)Christopher Corbin (UNEP/Cartagena Convention Secretariat)Emily Corcoran (GRID-Arendal, Consultant)Daniel Ddiba (Stockholm Environment Institute)Linus Dagerskog (Stockholm Environment Institute)Tim Fettback (HafenCity University, Hamburg)Lüder Garleff (Hamburg Wasser, Hamburg)Amit Gross (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)Hadeel Hosney (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)Edward Jones (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University)Olfa Mahjoub (National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia)Bistra Mihaylova (Women Engage for a Common Future)Pedro Moreo (Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (Phase 2) Project Coordinator)Charles Muhamba (Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association Tanzania)Alex Pires (UNEP)Manzoor Qadir (United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health)Pierre van Rensburg (City of Windhoek)Arnold Schäfer (Hamburg Wasser, Hamburg)Hendrik Schurig (Hamburg Wasser, Hamburg)Prithvi Simha (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)Avantika Singh (UNEP)Florian Thevenon (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)Kristina Thygesen (GRID-Arendal)Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)Riccardo Zennaro (UNEP)Layout:GRID-ArendalCartographers:Studio Atlantis, Kristina ThygesenReviewers:Tessa Goverse, Helene van Rossum, Nina Raasakka, Naomi Montenegro Navarro, Claire Thiebault, Lis Bernhardt (UNEP); Tatjana Hema (UNEP Barcelona Convention); Mahesh Pradhan (UNEP Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia); Una Harcinovic (World Business Council for Sustainable Development); Aslıhan Kerç (Turkish Water Institute – SUEN); Cecilia Tortajada (National University of Singapore); Rodrigo Riquelme, Pedro Moreo (Inter-American Development Bank).Project support:Carina Thomassen (GRID-Arendal), Claire Rumsey (GRID-Arendal, Consultant)Cover photos:©istock/narvikk, ©iStock/Riccardo Lennart Niels Mayer, ©iStock/jonathanfilskov-photography (back)iii ivGlossaryBiosolids – Sewage sludge, adequately treated, processed and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth