| Methodology - Tasks
Task 1 (May 2003 - October 2003): Determination
of the Countries Profile
This task focuses firstly on the identification of the existing
situation prevailed in the participating countries in regards
to various aspects such as geography, climate, demography,
water potential and use. The information that will be gathered
will be analyzed and presented in the form of indicators.
Secondly, during this task the water and wastewater management
policy, the relevant institutional framework and the socioeconomic
tools and instruments applied in each participating country
will be investigated the aim being the identification of weak
points and the promotion of best practices applied elsewhere.
Some of the participating countries have developed diversified
policies tailored to their special needs and local conditions
(e.g. cultural, civic, social and religious differences).
Some countries have thus built up knowledge gaining a wealth
of experience that could benefit other countries facing similar
problems. The intra-regional transfer of knowledge taking
into account, for reasons of comparing, other elements such
as population density, climate conditions, water consumption
patterns, etc, is considered to be of great value.
Task 2 (September 2003 - February 2004):
Evaluation of the Existing Situation related to the operation
of Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants and the Effluent Disposal
Practices with emphasis on the Reuse in the Agricultural Production
The main objective of this task is the identification of
the existing situation related to (i) the operation of the
urban wastewater plants, (ii) the effluent disposal methods
and practices applied, (iii) the conditions under which wastewater
reuse takes place and (iv) the potential negative impacts
caused by the non orthodological operation of the wastewater
treatment and disposal methods applied with emphasis given
on wastewater reuse in agriculture.
Task 3 (November 2003 - March 2004): Analysis
of Best Practices and Success Stories
This task refers to the collection and analysis of information
regarding previously implemented methodologies, schemes and
good practices, with respect to urban wastewater treatment
and effluent reuse both in countries in the Mediterranean
basin and elsewhere. This examination will of course take
into account the special characteristics (socio-economic,
technical, demographic, geographical, etc.) of the participating
countries. The main objectives are the following: (i) the
acquisition of knowledge and experience on scientifically
sound and effective practices on urban wastewater treatment
and treated wastewater reuse. (ii) the identification of the
extent of wastewater reuse in these countries, (iii) the documentation
that the reuse of wastewater is a feasible option with respect
to environment, technology, organization, economics, safety,
health, etc. and (iv) the dissemination of sound know-how
and experience on wastewater treatment and reuse. Special
emphasize will also be placed on tourist areas having seasonal
fluctuating pollutant discharge loads and mostly considered
to have sensitive environmental conditions liable to be harmed
easily by tourist activities
Task 4 ( March 2004 - January 2005): Development
of Specifications for Innovative Urban Wastewater Treatment
Technologies and Systems
The aim of this task is (i) to review all urban wastewater
technologies, methods and systems including innovative ones
which can be adapted to the Mediterranean regional context
able to be combined with water recovery systems, (ii) to review
the effluent treatment standards that are currently accepted
in order to protect public health and ensure safety and (iii)
to develop specifications for the urban wastewater treatment
technologies and systems, the aim being the presentation of
technologies and systems, where the effluent can be safely
reused, while on the other hand these techniques will not
be extremely expensive to be implemented (in terms of e.g.
construction, operation, maintenance, labor, etc).
Through these specifications all actors involved with wastewater
treatment planning and management will be enabled to:
- Gain insight into the urban wastewater treatment technologies
and systems
- Make balanced decisions on environmental, safety and health
measures related to the wastewater reuse
- Avoid temporary solutions and no-return investments
- Act adequately and proactively on new treatment developments
Task 5 (January 2005 - June 2005): Development
of Specifications for Urban Wastewater Utilization
The main aim of this task is to demonstrate that urban wastewater
management can and must be transformed from a disposal-based
linear system to a recovery-based closed loop system that
promotes the conservation of water and natural resources and
contributes to public health. The objective is to develop
specifications and guidelines for the safe and sustainable
reuse of wastewater in the agricultural production.
Task 6 (June 2005 - October 2005): Development
of a Methodology and a Database for the Control and Monitoring
of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants
The aim of this task is to develop the appropriate tools
and a database for the effective control and monitoring of
the operation of the wastewater treatment plants and to develop
relevant guidelines to ensure the safe operation of the wastewater
treatment plants. The safe character of all these activities
can establish a concrete basis for the sustainable wastewater
treatment and reuse.
Task 7 (November 2005 - July 2007): Development
of a Multi-criteria - Guiding Support Software Tool for the
Assessment and Valuation of Safe Wastewater Agricultural Reuse
The objective of this task is the development of a software
tool able:
- to apply a scoring system for existing wastewater facilities
based on the potential of safe reuse of the final effluent
- to guide the responsible authorities in the development
and operation of a wastewater treatment facility, where
the final effluent will be safely reused, taking into account
the geographical, economical and social barriers of the
specific area
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