The intensified global water and sanitation crisis has necessitated innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for basic services – specifically in developing countries. Because traditional sanitation is often expensive to engineer, research has been exploring alternative, low-cost technologies, and contributing to this study is Civil Engineer Renesh Maharaj.
Renesh was one of the only three young South African engineers whose papers were featured in the Sustainability 2024 publication of the FIDIC Future Leaders Booklet series, released during the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference’s Future Leaders Symposium on 8 September 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. The publication sought to spotlight future leaders contributing to the research of solutions for our current climate crisis.
Having been in the civil engineering industry since 2014, Renesh has dedicated his academic and professional career to contributing to addressing South Africa’s water crisis. His FIDIC Future Leaders Booklet submission, ‘An environmental lifecycle assessment focusing on optimisation of decentralised wastewater treatment systems in the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa,’ was the focus of his postgraduate research, which explored the environmental benefits of optimising decentralised wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) for low-cost housing developments.
What we learn from Renesh’s study is that DEWATS distinguishes itself from conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) by its lower reliance on complex sewage systems. Instead, it tailors its technical approach to the local economy and societal needs. By combining physical and biological treatment processes, DEWATS can efficiently and sustainably process both domestic and industrial waste. What makes DEWATS a viable option is the low capital and operational costs, coupled with minimal energy requirements – ideal for South Africa’s current economic climate and the sanitation challenges faced by rural and peri-urban areas.
To optimise DEWATS potential, Renesh’s paper applied environmental lifecycle assessment (LCA) modelling to compare three scenarios: traditional high-flush systems, systems integrating low-flush toilets, and systems combining urine diversion with low-flush toilets and the production of a urine-derived fertiliser. The modelling was used in a case study at the Banana housing development in the eThekwini Municipality and produced promising findings which indicated significant environmental benefits. Not only does it provide an alternative to commercial phosphorous fertilisers, but it also reduces the demand for potable flushing water, which was identified as the most impactful factor across scenarios.
A note to heed from Renesh’s study is that DEWATS aligns with the industry and society’s quest for feasible and environmentally friendly sanitation solutions. By reducing reliance on traditional sanitation infrastructure and exploring innovative resource recovery methods, DEWATS could play a crucial role in the sustainable development of eThewkini’s urban areas and greater South Africa.
Renesh’s contribution to the field not only highlights the potential young engineers leading the way towards a more sustainable future but also underscores the importance of adapting our engineering practices to meet the needs of an ever-changing world and ultimately meeting the needs of the local communities we serve.
Read Renesh’s submission here: FIDIC Future Leaders – Sustainability 2024
