- Individual wastewater systems (IAS) are used widely in Romania, both in areas with populations over and under 2,000. However, accurate data on existing IAS is lacking. In 2018, around 6,300 IAS were recorded, up from 5,800 in 2017. - Around 2,536 individual treatment systems were identified in 2019, treating a total of 540,681 population equivalents. Effluent is discharged into natural or artificial receptors. - While IAS that transport wastewater to centralized treatment plants are accepted, there are concerns about IAS that provide only local treatment related to monitoring water quality, impacts on groundwater, and sludge management. Proper registration, design,

1. IAS and Decentralized solutions of WSS in
Romania
Gheorghe Constantin
Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests
International Workshop “Enhancing sustainability and efficiency of WSS
provision”
16 June 2021

2. Main issues related to the implementation of
the UWWTD
• Important change in the population equivalent at the
national level
• Very low level of infrastructure in the rural area
• Large part of rural population with low income in the rural
area
• Decreasing trend of population

3. Connection to the sewage system in 2017 (rural vs. urban)

4. IAS in Romania (1)
• Used both in agglomerations with less and more than 2000 i.e.
• Not accurate informations about the existing IAS
• About 6300 IAS has been recorded in 2018 which represented an
increase comparing with 2017 (5800)
• The wastewater collected by the IAS is drained, transported and
discharged in a proportion of approx. 37% in centralized sewerage
networks, and the remaining 63% are discharged in urban wastewater
treatment plants.

5. IAS in Romania (2)
• 2,536 Individual Treatment Systems were identifiedin 2019 (mechanical,
mechanical-biological, mechanical-biological and chemical stage, advanced
nutrient removal stage - tertiary),
• Effluent is discharged into natural receptors ( streams, rivers, ponds) or
artificial (ANIF collector or drainage channels).
• The biodegradable load treated in these IAS totals 540,681 l.e., of which
9.9% (53,381 l.e.) are in agglomerations with more than 2,000 l.e.
• In the case of collection IAS and treatment IAS for the population, their
number is underestimated,
• No information was available on the concentration of CBO5 in the drained
or discharged waters into the water resources,

6. WWS Strategy Recommendation for Romania
• The Bank team has already recommended that a wider range of IAS
options be allowed in Romania, in line with practices of other EU
countries
• Rely on IAS to achieve compliance in rural areas
• A proper process of registration, design, construction, operation and
maintenance (O&M), monitoring and control will also be needed to
ensure environmental protection.
• The discharge possibilities (soil or surface water body) and the
requirements of the UWWTD should be observed

7. Romanian authorities position related IAS
• Agreed with systems collecting the waste water and transported to
the UWWTP
• There are concerns related to the transport and its impact on air
quality
• Easy to prove that this IAS will ensure the same level of treatment
(based on the service contract)
• Not easy accepted by the ROCs

8. Concerns related to IAS with local treatment
• Diificulties to monitor the quality of the discharged water
• Possible impact on the groundwater quality
• Impact of the solid part/sludge resulting from the treatment process
• Microbiological impact of the treated waste water

9. Thank you for your
Attention!