This document summarizes Gerard A.M. de Fraiture's contribution to an international seminar on sustainable domestic wastewater treatment in urban areas. Conventional wastewater treatment systems in western countries are not very sustainable. Research shows that anaerobic treatment, which mimics natural biological processes, is more sustainable as it recovers energy and nutrients in a decentralized manner. Promising technologies like upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors and recent algae technologies follow principles of separating solids from liquids and minimizing water use for transport. Simple, robust, affordable technologies at small scale can create jobs and economic opportunities while achieving sustainability goals.

1. Contribution Gerard A.M. de Fraiture to International Seminar Megalopolis of Trisakti University Jakarta at
19th of October 2009
SUSTAINABLE DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN URBAN AREAS
Fraiture, Gerard A.M. de
g.a.m.defraiture@saxion.nl
Environmental Sciences,
School of Environmental Planning and Building,
Saxion University of Applied Sciences,
The Netherlands.
ABSTRACT
Presentation 19th October 2009
Conventional domestic wastewater treatment systems in the western industrialized countries do not seem
to be very sustainable, regarding the balance between the different ‘people, prosperity and planet’
aspects. The developments of these systems go back to the sixties. Big investments were made in
sewage systems using water as transport medium, aerobic treatment as main process and a lot of energy
for operating. These systems produce sludge, chemical waste and air pollution containing odour and
greenhouse gasses as CO2 and N2O. Energy and minerals are not being recovered and valorized.
This contribution focuses on the way ‘Mother Nature’ shows us. As the organic material is build up, it is
broken down in little steps with no waste: the natural biological mineralization cycle. The recent concept of
‘cradle to cradle’ (C2C) uses the same principle: create products that at the end of their life-cycle can be
fully reused without producing any waste (McDonough and Braungart, 2002).
Research from the seventies (Seghezzo et al, 1998; Lettinga et al, 2001; Lettinga, 2006) has shown that
anaerobic treatment of waste water is close to the ‘Mother Nature’ principles: recovery of energy and
elements in a decentralized system based on the invention: the ‘Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket
Reactor’. This technology is already used in 80% of all anaerobic water treatment systems in the world.
The technologies are available and are waiting for application.
Very promising technologies for places that are able to start with waste water treatment and didn’t
invest yet in the un-sustainable conventional domestic waste water treatment systems. Recent
algae technology can strengthen this concept.
Keep things as simple as possible, like separating solids from liquids in sewage collection and minimize
the water to transport the pollutants. Use simple, robust and affordable technologies. Anaerobic treatment
prefers small scale and creates job opportunities and money.
Inspire and facilitate final year students to choose a part of a waste management project as subject for
their final research as a junior-professional: there are lots of talented students who are eager to take their
responsibility and give their contribution to a sustainable future of local communities in their beloved
country!
Key words:
Sustainability, Mother Nature, Anaerobic Treatment, Simple Technologies, Renewable Energy
References:
Lettinga, G. et al. 2001. Sustainable development in pollution control and the role of anaerobic treatment. Water Science and
Technology, 44: 6: 181-188.
Lettinga, G. 2006. A good life environment for all through conceptual, technological and social innovations. Water Science and
Technology, 54: 2: 1-9.
McDonough, W. and M. Braungart. 2002. Cradle to Cradle. Remaking the Way We Make Things. New York: North Point Press.
Seghezzo, L. et al. 1998. A review: the anaerobic treatment of sewage in UASB and EGSB reactors. Bioresource Technology, 65:
175-190.
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