Pilot WWTPs with Advanced Technologies Launched in Cuba

Two new pilot demonstration wastewater treatment systems involve some of the most advanced wastewater treatment technologies are aimed to contribute to reduce water scarcity while preserving the environment

ccording to Project Directors Dr. Carlos Lopez Vazquez (UNESCO-IHE) and Prof. Orestes Gonzalez Diaz (Higher Polytechnique Institute "Jose Antonio Echeverria", CUJAE), both pilot systems involve some of the most advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Thus, the demonstration nature of the two pilot treatment plants will allow to assess treatment efficiencies in the local Wastewater Treatment Plant "Punta Hicacos" and compare them against that of the existing conventional wastewater treatment technology to contribute to reduce water scarcity while preserving the environment.

As presented during the opening ceremony by Dr. Hector Garcia (UNESCO-IHE) and Prof. Guang-Hao Chen (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKUST), each pilot plant is based on a different treatment system. The first one is a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) able to reach high treatment and removal efficiencies capable of providing a relatively high quality effluent which could be reused after further polishment. The second system is the so-called SANI system (which stands for Sulfate Reduction Autotrophic Denitrification and Nitrification Integrated), an innovative process developed by Prof. Guang-Hao Chen in collaboration with Delft University of Technology.

The SANI system can treat saline wastewater with minimum emissions and energy requirements facilitating the potential replacement of fresh water by seawater for toilet flushing. Therefore, contributing to reduce freshwater consumption and savings or the treatment of saline wastewater generated by saline water intrusion into the sewage network (a common phenomena in coastal zones).

First Chinese multilateral action

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Cuba, his Excellency Mr. Zhang Tuo, underlined that this is the first multilateral action undertaken by China in Cuba, recognizing the valuable contribution from each partner to the project and expressing his increasing interest to promote similar multilateral actions (EU-Cuba-China) in the near future.

Besides highlighting the potential benefits, scope and reach of "MAS AGUA PARA TODOS", Mr. Vladimir Cabrales, Director of Foreign Affairs at the National Institute of Water Resources and Mrs. Niuris Landa, General Director of Aguas de Varadero, expressed their gratitude for the implementation of such an action in Cuba, seconded by Prof. Damir Brdjanovic, Head of the Environmental Engineering and Water Technology Department at UNESCO-IHE, who in addition emphasized the importance of the capacity building component within the project through the formation of Cuban water professionals and the refurbishment of the Sanitary Engineering Lab at CUJAE.

Source: UNESCO - IHE

Read More Related Content On This Topic - Click Here

Media

Taxonomy

• Produced Water Treatment
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Design