Options for up-scaling greywater reuse in Ethiopia

MUS greywater reuse: Options for upscaling greywater reuse in Ethiopia

3

Research Questions

• What examples of productive reuse of greywater exist in Ethiopia?

• Why is greywater not more widely re-used in this water-scarce

country?

• What is required for successful upscaling?

Options for upscaling greywater reuse in Ethiopia

Research Aim

• Address critical water problems in water scarce areas by documenting in-country examples of productive reuses of greywater

4 Options for upscaling greywater reuse in Ethiopia

Definition of Greywater

• Without faecal matter

• Water from bathroom and kitchen

sinks, showers, clothes washing, etc.

• Safe and beneficial source for

irrigation water for backyard

Sh

ew

a,

W. A

., &

Ge

leta

, B

. G

. (2

00

9).

Ca

se s

tud

y o

f su

sta

ina

ble

sa

nita

tion

pro

ject

s: G

reyw

ate

r to

we

r fo

r p

eri-

urb

an

are

as.

Arb

a M

inch

, E

thio

pia

: S

ust

ain

ab

le

Sa

nita

tion

Alli

an

ce.

5

1. The Case of Lege Dini

• Pauline Scheelbeek (2005) “2 containers a day; in quest of

environmental sustainability & public health for the rural poor –

water quality, multiple use and water division in the Lege Dini

Watershed area in Ethiopia: towards a MUS approach.” MSc.

Thesis, Wageningen University & Research

• Focused on water sources, water uses and greywater reuse

• Irrigation exists only where there is good access to a reliable water

source


6

1. The Case of Lege Dini

Scheelbeek (2005) recorded 2

common way of watering plants:

(1) Surface irrigation – narrow

canals dug from washing or

drinking water point to field

(some GW use)

(2) Drip irrigation – tin cans tied to

branch, filled with water that

drips through holes in bottom

of can (some GW use)


Image: Papaya trees irrigated with water in Lege Dini. Papaya is promoted for high beta-carotene content to lower risk of blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency

(Scheelbeek 2005)

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2. Keyhole garden

• Initiative by Catholic Relief Services

(CRS) – most successful in Lesotho

• Designed for chronically ill

• Soil enrichment

• Retention of moisture in arid climate

• Labor saving

• Year-round vegetable production

• Locally resourced materials (in rural

areas)


CR

S H

om

est

ea

d G

ard

en

ing

Ha

nd

bo

ok

(20

08

)

8

@ F

arm

ers

Tra

inin

g C

en

ter

By

ea

rly a

do

pte

r

2. Keyhole Garden

9

@ training center, reasons for failure:

• Lack of greywater;

• Lack of responsible person

• Demonstration may have lacked follow-up;

• System is suffering from drought

Uptake in Eastern Haraghe more

successful: experience in crop

production + reuse wastewater,

mentality/open-mindedness


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3. Greywater Reuse Tower


• Resource-Oriented Sanitation concepts for peri-urban areas in Africa

(ROSA – project)

• Abra Minch (Ethiopia), Nakuru (Kenya), Arusha (Tanzania), Kitgum

(Uganda)

• Essentially sub-surface irrigation

Shewa, W. A., & Geleta, B. G. (2009). Case study of sustainable sanitation projects: Greywater tower for peri-urban areas. Arba Minch, Ethiopia: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance.

11

Discussion


Lege Dini – surface & drip irrigation

Keyhole gardenGreywater Reuse Tower

Scale Rural plot Rural family Urban/peri-urban

CostsIf all locally sourced materials; only costs for labour

If all locally sourced materials; only costs for labour

EUR10.20

Benefits

Reuse of runoff from waterpoint by nearby households; upscaling canal possible

High retention; suitable for water scarce areas; waist height; labor saving after construction

Vertical garden; space efficient; gravel column; reuse of materials

RQ1. What examples of productive reuse of greywater exist in Ethiopia?

12

Discussion


RQ2. Why is greywater not more widely re-used in this water-scarce

country?

– Perception/cultural resistance to using 'dirty water‘

– High faecal content in greywater of pilots in Arba Minch

– A regional component?

RQ 3. What is required for successful upscaling?

– simple to use technology/ easy adoption

– successful demonstration/pilot

– committed staff with regular follow-up

Travel

Options for up-scaling greywater reuse in Ethiopia