Sustainable production of biofuel and agricultural inputs from sewage water microalgae and its impact to the environment and community, Hata-Butle, Roma
With the current emphasis on environmental health and water pollution issues, there is an increasing awareness of the need to dispose of community wastewaters safely and beneficially. Naturally, the sewage water is rich in nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds, which increases the level of algal booming (eutrophication) in treatment pond systems. Algae can produce potent toxins which are potentially dangerous to humans, livestock and domestic animals that may drink or swim in (For earth, 2013). Decaying algae in the stagnant water also has bad odor and the algae mats harbor E. coli and other pathogenic organisms, protozoan and helminthes, which causes diseases.
The main focus of the proposed project is development of safe disposal, treatment and utilization of sewage water for production of energy and agricultural inputs (bio-fertilizers). With the specific objective of establishing compatible technology using sewage water microalgae to reduce environmental and health impacts in the community, strong partnerships will be build with key stakeholders involved in water and sewage management, environmental watch, energy, health and agricultural development. A planning activity will thus be organized to bring together the key stakeholders to plan and agree on the time-bound programme of action with clearly defined roles. Key project activities are categorized in the following:
i. Development of potent bacterial and microalgae strains
ii. Construction of anaerobic digester
iii. Process optimization; qualitative and quantitative data generation
iv. Crop yield assessment and data generation
v. Data consolidation, report compilation and presentation
The production of bio-fuel (methane) from sewage water microalgae and industrial effluents is sustainable so long as the flow of sewage water from the community and firm always exist. Once implemented, the technology would provide permanent solution to the community and firm in terms of safe disposal of waste water and energy requirements having clean environment. Besides, it will provide agricultural input (bio-fertilizer) for crop production in place of using industrial fertilizers, which eventually reduces production cost and lead to family food security.
The main focus of the proposed project is development of safe disposal, treatment and utilization of sewage water for production of energy and agricultural inputs (bio-fertilizers). With the specific objective of establishing compatible technology using sewage water microalgae to reduce environmental and health impacts in the community, strong partnerships will be build with key stakeholders involved in water and sewage management, environmental watch, energy, health and agricultural development. A planning activity will thus be organized to bring together the key stakeholders to plan and agree on the time-bound programme of action with clearly defined roles. Key project activities are categorized in the following:
i. Development of potent bacterial and microalgae strains
ii. Construction of anaerobic digester
iii. Process optimization; qualitative and quantitative data generation
iv. Crop yield assessment and data generation
v. Data consolidation, report compilation and presentation
The production of bio-fuel (methane) from sewage water microalgae and industrial effluents is sustainable so long as the flow of sewage water from the community and firm always exist. Once implemented, the technology would provide permanent solution to the community and firm in terms of safe disposal of waste water and energy requirements having clean environment. Besides, it will provide agricultural input (bio-fertilizer) for crop production in place of using industrial fertilizers, which eventually reduces production cost and lead to family food security.
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
The National University of Lesotho
Country:
Lesotho
Area Of Work:
Climate Change Mitigation
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 126,000.00
Project Number:
LSO/SGP/OP5/Y3/CORE/CC/2013/06
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
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Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Although the bulk of the funding is expected from GEF-SGP, it is envisaged that the substantial amount will be sourced from WASCO as a main stakeholder of the success of the project especially in the inception stage. Once the project is running towards the end of the first year, it will start to raise some cash through selling of the biogas produced and in a way be able to self-sustain. This source will be used to fund the other aspect that would not be covered under the GEF-SGP fund. The idea used in this project would also be commissioned to WASCO at some fee for further expansion to other areas country-wide where WASCO has treatment plants.
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SGP Country office contact
Mrs. Nthabiseng Elizabeth Majara
Phone:
(266) 222228000
Fax:
(266) 22310042
Email:
Mr Tseliso - Tsoeu
Phone:
+266 22313790
Fax:
+266 22310042
Email:
Address
GEF-SGP Lesotho, C/O UNDP CO Lesotho, 13 United Nations Road, P.O. Box 301
MASERU, AFRICA, 100
MASERU, AFRICA, 100
Country Website
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