In many countries, wastewater management, treatment, and monitoring are often underappreciated services, attracting less investor interest compared to water supply. Global monitoring of SDG indicator 6.3.1, which focuses on the proportion of total and industrial safely treated wastewater flows, has revealed an important lack of knowledge on national wastewater statistics. The first part of this session aims to motivate water operators to better collect and report wastewater data for improving the reporting on SDG indicator 6.3.1, but also to present some innovative case studies which are beyond the current global monitoring effort. In Ghana, the combination with the water quality parameters has allowed to estimate the pollutant loads generated, treated and discharged by industrial activities. In Mexico, the physicochemical monitoring of the influent and effluent of a Nature Based Solution (NbS) will allow to evaluate its real effectiveness in improving the quality of wastewater. Finally, in Thailand the distribution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from domestic wastewater management across different regions and various treatment processes, has been for the first time assessed following IPCC methodology.
Pipelines, manholes, and sewer pits are vital components of wastewater systems, yet managing them is often hindered by chaotic environments, limited budgets, and knowledge gaps. The second part of the session presents a practical roadmap for strengthening asset management in the field, offering key steps to improve planning, prioritization, and maintenance. We will showcase examples from Irbid (Jordan), where Yarmouk Water Company and World Waternet used camera inspections to assess sewer conditions and identify blockages, and Lusaka (Zambia), where Lusaka Water Supply & Sanitation Company is managing non-sewered sanitation through a 9-year World Bank-funded initiative. Project partners will share lessons learned and demonstrate how applying asset management principles can lead to more resilient and effective sanitation services.
Biogas production is becoming increasingly important in the context of the energy transition and circular economy – not only in agriculture, but also in municipal wastewater treatment and industry.The third part of the session focuses on an example of the use of biogas. The Mansa wastewater treatment plant, operated by the Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LpWSC), shows promising potential for biogas production from sewage sludge can be converted into renewable energy. An initial technical assessment indicates that, despite its modest size, the plant produces sufficient organic material for economically viable anaerobic digestion. Utilizing biogas can significantly improve energy self-sufficiency, reduce operational costs, and contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions.