Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/845499
W EEKLY EDITION JULY 5, 2017 Dispa tch #2 from South Africa …continued PSAI is at the table for the development of an International Working Agreement on Sustainable Fecal Sludge Processing Systems Q: Why are these groups focused on waste processors? A: By now most readers of Association Ins ight are aware that about one third of the people on earth don't have adequate sanitation. To solve this issue, there is a need for both toilets and waste processing options that "work" in the environments where sanitation is lacking. For a variety of reas ons, traditional flush toilets, sewer systems, and waste treatment plants just don't cut it in those places. Q: Why is the PSAI involved? A: Providing toilets is what we do. Getting rid of waste is what we have to do as a consequence of providing the res trooms, and operators tell us that waste disposal is one of the ir top two long - term concerns. As they come to market, t hese new waste processing systems could have a significant impact on portable sanitation businesses all over the world. The new systems r epresent a shift from viewing waste as an expense or burden, which must be disposed , to a valuable resource that can be reclaimed and monetized . How, exactly, portable sanitation companies will interface with these new systems remains to be seen – although we might get a hint from the process of urine reclamation. Already in many locations throughout the world – including in North America – toilet providers are finding ways to isolate and reclaim urine which is full of valuable resources. Q: What are the g uidelines for these systems? A: Well, each product development team has its own guidelines of course, but here are the ones that the Gates Foundation included in its grant RFP and which are included in the initial outline of the IWA. The system: • Is capab le of processing human excreta in a nonsewered environment • Removes pathogens so that the outputs are safe for humans and the environment • Is environmentally friendly • Is robust enough to handle variations in the input and operating conditions • Recovers resour ces by generating energy or by - products such that the overall unit is energy - neutral or better • Is sustainable such that the public/private partners can recoup their costs and the business model is workable over the longer term • Is a "good neighbor" in terms of the noise and odor it creates in its general vicinity • Stands alone • The system is modular, factory - built (as opposed to site construction), scalable and replicable PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3