By Jean Lacoursiere and Lena Vought, Kristianstad University, Sweden Presented at the Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy Phnom Penh, Cambodia December 7-9, 2011 Session 2a: Water engineering

1. Ecological Engineering: a way to integrate
urban drainage, resource-based sanitation,
biogas and food security
“ EcoWarrior…or sound economical investment of
a developing economy”
Jean O. Lacoursière & Lena B.-M. Vought
Man & Biosphere Health research group
Kristianstad University, Sweden

2. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
Ecological Engineering: a way to integrate
urban drainage, resource-based sanitation,
biogas and food security
1) illustrate the problem(s)… lessons learned
2) bring-in the Nexus (Bonn Conference, 16-18 Nov. 2011)
3) highlight opportunities for cross-sectorial
solutions
Jean O. Lacoursière & Lena B.-M. Vought
Man & Biosphere Health research group
Kristianstad University, Sweden

3. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
“the application of ecological and engineering principles
in developing solutions that integrate human society with
its natural environment for the benefit of both” (Mitsch 1996)
Ecological Engineering: a way to integrate
urban drainage, resource-based sanitation,
biogas and food security
1) illustrate the problem(s)… lessons learned
2) bring-in the Nexus (Bonn Conference, 16-18 Nov. 2011)
3) highlight opportunities for cross-sectorial
solutions
Jean O. Lacoursière & Lena B.-M. Vought
Man & Biosphere Health research group
Kristianstad University, Sweden

4. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
1) illustrate the problem(s): urban drainage and water
resources protection… e.g. Vientiane Capital City (Lao PDR)
February 1990, initiation of “Wetland Units” in Lao PDR, Vietnam
and Thailand (Interim Mekong Committee)…
Lao team used
urban wetlands as
training sites…
so we have been
able to follow the
changes since then.

5. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
1) illustrate the problem(s): urban drainage and water
resources protection… e.g. Vientiane Capital City (Lao PDR)
from 1999… Flood-protection = drainage network channelized
(no plants no sediment)
but before,
aquatic plants
+ sediment =
natural water treatment
Hong Thong channel to Nong Chan,
Vientiane (Lao PDR) 1990 2009

6. Kristianstad
University
Sweden That Luang Marsh – Houay Mak Hiao River system
(ca. 54 km to Mekong River)
How far has the urban pollution reached (length of impact zone) ?
0 5 10 km
massive lost
of “natural “where aquatic ecosystem recovers from pollution“
filtration Impact Zone end (ca. 18km)
capacity” ca. 30% of distance to Mekong River
(aquatic plants,
sediment and
long transit time)
drop in
efficiency of
sewage site
treatment
(septic thanks,
soak pits, etc…)

7. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
1) illustrate the problem(s) … cross-sectorial challenges
“my solution within my
Climate Changes Natural Resources responsibility area”
“extremes” & Environment approach
 water quality
Public Work  biodiversity &
habitat
 water supply & …
sanitation
 stormwater &
flood protection
…
Agriculture Food
Security
 safe food
 soil Phosphorous-peak
…
water
mineral
scarcity
fertilizer
supply

8. For the Mekong Region ?
Kristianstad
University
Sweden
2) bring-in the Nexus www.water-energy-food.org
WASTE AS A RESOURCE…
in multi-use systems
 Cross-sectoral management can boost
overall resource use efficiency;
 In multi-use systems in particular, waste
and by-products can be turned into a
resource for other products and services,
e.g. in green agriculture, wastewater
energy integration or multi-use
reservoirs.

9. Kristianstad
University
Sweden part of the GREEN ECONOMY…
3) highlight opportunities… strategic (multi-goals) development
“your problem is my
Climate Changes Natural Resources solution / my problem
& Environment is your solution”
 reduced risk approach
Public Work
septic tanks/DEWATS
sludge
Agriculture Food
Security
 safe & “steady” 150 Consumption
water supply 125 million tons
Energy (reuse) 100
75 15 billion
 BIOGAS  organic fertilizer & 50 USD
city busses / soil conditioning 25
0
garbage trucks global mineral global fertilizer
fertilizer equivalent in
consumption wastewater

10. Energy: Biogas
  
Cleaner water: Food:
Irrigation Nutrients
Fishing Soil conditioner 
Biodiversity Urine separation –
P recycling
Channels Wetlands Septic tanks / DEWATS
Water Sensitive Urban Drainage System
(WSUDs)

11. Kristianstad
University
Sweden
“the application of ecological and engineering principles
in developing solutions that integrate human society with
its natural environment for the benefit of both” (Mitsch 1996)
Ecological Engineering: a way to integrate
urban drainage, resource-based sanitation,
biogas and food security
“ EcoWarrior ?…or sound economical investment
of a strategically developing green
economy ?”
For the Mekong Region ?

12. “the application of ecological and engineering principles in
developing solutions that integrate human society with its
natural environment for the benefit of both” (Mitsch 1996)