Water, Energy and Human Rights Wastewater reuse Environmental aspects

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1 Water, Energy and Human Rights Wastewater reuse Environmental aspects Barbara Ruis Division of Environmental Law and Conventions Regional Office for Europe United Nations Environment Programme

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3 Global water quality crisis Continuing population growth & urbanisation Rapid industralisation Expanding and intensifying food production Pressure on water resources & increase unregulated or illegal discharge of contaminated water Global threat to human health and wellbeing, with consequences for efforts to reduce poverty whilst sustaining the integrity of some of our most productive ecosystems.

4 Global water quality crisis There are many causes driving this crisis, but it is clear that freshwater and coastal ecosystems across the globe, upon which humanity has depended for millennia, are increasingly threatened. It is equally clear that future demands for water cannot be met unless wastewater management is revolutionized.

5 Six policy recommendations TACKLE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES 1. Countries must adopt a multi sectoral approach to wastewater management, incorporating principles of ecosystem based management from the watersheds into the sea, connecting sectors that will reap immediate benefits from better wastewater management 2. Successful and sustainable management of wastewater requires a cocktail of innovative approaches that engage the public and private sector. Planning processes should provide an enabling environment for innovation 3. Innovative financing of wastewater infrastructure should incorporate design, construction, operation, maintenance, upgrading, decommissioning

6 Six policy recommendations THINKING FOR THE LONG TERM 4. In light of rapid global change, communities should plan wastewater management against future scenarios, not current situations 5. Solutions for smart wastewater management must be socially and culturally appropriate, and economically & environmentally viable into the future 6. Education and awareness must play a central role in wastewater management and in reducing over all volumes and harmful content of wastewater produced, so that solutions are sustainable

7 Open Working Group For Sustainable Development Goals Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable & inclusive institutions at all levels

8 Open Working Group For Sustainable Development Goals Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, by 2030: 6.1 Universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all 6.2 Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation 6.3 Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse 6.4 Increase water use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

9 Open Working Group For Sustainable Development Goals Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, by 2030: 6.5 Implement integrated water resources management, incl. through transboundary cooperation 6.6 By 2020 protect and restore water related ecosystems 6.a Expand international cooperation and capacitybuilding support to developing countries in water and sanitation related activities and programmes 6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities for improving water and sanitation management

10 Open Working Group For Sustainable Development Goals Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable & inclusive institutions at all levels

11 Importance of energy management in wastewater treatment Two majors energy consumers, that need to be carefully managed: Pumping system Treatment process Energy self sufficient: Minimizing and collecting energy lost Waste heat Biogas from anaerobic digestion Resource recovery and reuse is key If wastewater is seen as a resource : Which produces stabilized sludge for agricultural production & construction material As input for biogas production This approach has four fold outcome: Reduce the contamination load on water bodies Reduce CO2 emission Recycle fertilizers in food production Produce renewable energy

12 Water segregation and possible utilization options UNESCO/IHP & GTZ, 2006

13 Partnerships: the GW 2 I brings partners together for greater action Global Wastewater Initiative: A global voluntary multi stakeholder platform to bring a paradigm shift in world water politics, prevent further pollution and emphasize that wastewater is a valuable resource for future water security Focal Area 1. Establishment of the GWI infrastructure Focal Area 2. Demonstration & Promotion of WW treatment approaches, technologies, policies & financial instruments (wastewater value on market mechanism, small scale WW treatment & reuse) Focal Area 3. Strengthening the normative basis for managing & monitoring the impacts of WW on the coastal & marine env. Focal Area 4. Global challenges & debates on WW issues Focal Area 5. Communication and outreach (Cross Cutting)

14 Thank you United Nations Environment Programme