Sustainable Sanitation - Practical Applications

Centralized wastewater treatment is not economically and ecologically feasible for rural ares with disperse settlement structures. The need to foster sustainable sanitation was recognized within the last years. The project 'Sus-San - Sustainable Sanitation' launched by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management was dedicated to analyze such new strategies. Nevertheless, there is a lack on practical experiences on sustainable sanitation in Austria hindering wider implementation. The main project objective of NASPA is to contribute to the implementation of these concepts in practice. For five sites - two Styrian municipalities (Unterauersbach und Langegg-Hirtenfeld), one appartment house in Pöllau (near Gleisdorf), the Christophorus Haus (office building) in Stadl Paura as well as in one private household (Oberwindhaag) -sustainable sanitation concepts will be developed and implemented. Based on the results of the planning and implementation process, guidelines and operator concepts will be elaborated. Measures will be the analysis of existing water use and the potential to reduce water consumption. Greywater treatment , nightsoil treatment, service water use and sludge treatment are to be optimized. Beside that, dissemination and public awareness are other important project goals that shall be achieved.