1. A Wastewater Treatment, Reuse and Outreach Program at the Autonomous University of Benito Juarez in Oaxaca, Mexico by Tressie Word, M.S. Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers

2. the intro. Concept Concept Context Context Outreach Outreach Technology Technology Lessons learned Lessons learned Outcomes Outcomes Next steps Next steps

3. Build capacity in natural wastewater treatment, reuse and watershed management in the Oaxaca Valley Build capacity in natural wastewater treatment, reuse and watershed management in the Oaxaca Valley Capacity building is the creation of an enabling environment with appropriate policy, legal frameworks & institutional development; including community participation, development of resources & strengthening of managerial systems (UNDP, 1991). Capacity building is the creation of an enabling environment with appropriate policy, legal frameworks & institutional development; including community participation, development of resources & strengthening of managerial systems (UNDP, 1991). –A long-term, continuing process that involves all stakeholders the concept.

4. the approach.

5. the players. Humboldt State University (HSU) Humboldt State University (HSU) Universidad Autonómica de Benito Universidad Autonómica de Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO) Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO) Associated organizations Associated organizations Dr. Robert Gearheart, HSU Professor Peter Haase, Principal Engineer, Fall Creek Engineering ~ HSU Volunteer Tressie Word, Staff Engineer, Winzler & Kelly ~ HSU Lecturer Administration Chemistry Department Faculty, Students & Staff Institute of Nature and Society of Oaxaca Rio Salado Watershed Committee Federal, State and Local Water Commissions Oaxaca Secretary of Health

6. the funds. Current Sources Current Sources -UABJO -Private Individuals -Private Companies -State of Oaxaca Potential Sources Potential Sources - National Water Commission of Mexico (CNA) -National Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) -Secretary of Health of Oaxaca (SSO) -Secretary of Social Development of Oaxaca (SEDESOL) - Inter-American Development Bank - North American Development Bank

7. the specifics. Establish local need & engagement Establish local need & engagement Pursue funding Pursue funding Outreach program Outreach program Monitoring & recording wastewater data Monitoring & recording wastewater data Educational, technical & operational guidance Educational, technical & operational guidance Development of a technical support network Development of a technical support network International exchange opportunities International exchange opportunities Workshop series Workshop series Four annual participative workshops Four annual participative workshops On-campus demonstration facility On-campus demonstration facility Natural wastewater treatment & reclamation Natural wastewater treatment & reclamation

8. the context.

9. the status of water and wastewater in Mexico. Over-exploitation of Over-exploitation of water resources (INEGI, 2007) water resources (INEGI, 2007) Insufficient or lacking Insufficient or lacking wastewater sanitation measures (CNA, 2004) wastewater sanitation measures (CNA, 2004) –Infrastructure –Operation & maintenance –Monitoring

10. (CNA, 2004)

12. (CNA, 2004) 20% to 35% of wastewater is treated in Mexico (INEGI, 2007)

13. the effects. the effects. Environment Contamination of potable water resources (Briscoe, 1993) Contamination of potable water resources (Briscoe, 1993) Ecosystem imbalances Ecosystem imbalances (Welch & Lindell, 1992) (Welch & Lindell, 1992) Pollution of soils & agricultural produce (INEGI, 2007) Pollution of soils & agricultural produce (INEGI, 2007)

14. the effects. Human Health Pathogens cause gastro-intestinal infections, typhoid, cholera & dysentery Pathogens cause gastro-intestinal infections, typhoid, cholera & dysentery Toxic chemicals from industry, agriculture & urban areas cause harmful effects Toxic chemicals from industry, agriculture & urban areas cause harmful effects

15. the status of wastewater in Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca. Population 256,130 Population 256,130 Activated sludge treatment (still starting-up) Activated sludge treatment (still starting-up) In the very recent past, most wastewater was discharged directly to rivers (Atoyac, Salado & Jaltlaco) & streets In the very recent past, most wastewater was discharged directly to rivers (Atoyac, Salado & Jaltlaco) & streets http://www.tomzap.com/coaxaca.html

16. the status of wastewater in communities surrounding Oaxaca de Juárez.

17. the UABJO project goals. Goals Goals –On-campus infrastructure improvements Ecological wastewater treatment & and reuse Ecological wastewater treatment & and reuse Water quality monitoring capacity Water quality monitoring capacity –Improve water & wastewater conditions in the Oaxaca Valley –Enhance community relations –Support applied research efforts –Expand international exchange opportunities

18. the workshop participants. Collaborative efforts involving governments, private firms & civil society strongly support project success (UNWWAP, 2006) Collaborative efforts involving governments, private firms & civil society strongly support project success (UNWWAP, 2006) Government Government Water authorities Water authorities Industry Industry Academia Academia Plant managers & operators Plant managers & operators Private sector Private sector Concerned citizens Concerned citizens Workshop 1

19. the workshop foci. Workshop 1: Natural Wastewater Workshop 1: Natural Wastewater Treatment System Science & Design Workshop 2: Watershed and Wastewater Management Permitting, Funding Sources, and Laws Workshop 2: Watershed and Wastewater Management Permitting, Funding Sources, and Laws Workshop 3: Sustainable Technologies and Monitoring for Watershed Protection, Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Workshop 3: Sustainable Technologies and Monitoring for Watershed Protection, Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Workshop 4: Watershed and Wastewater Management Technique Start-up, Troubleshooting, Operation and Maintenance Workshop 4: Watershed and Wastewater Management Technique Start-up, Troubleshooting, Operation and Maintenance

20. the demonstration project. Goal: Create a natural, simple, inexpensive, low- maintenance, energy efficient, wastewater treatment & reclamation project

21. the technology. Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Facultative Lagoon Facultative Lagoon Free Surface Wetlands Free Surface Wetlands Filtration Filtration Storage Storage Subsurface Irrigation Subsurface Irrigation

22. the technology.

23. front view side view upflow anaerobic sludge blanket

24. the technology. Meets secondary treatment effluent standards for water reuse (Wendland et al, 2006) Meets secondary treatment effluent standards for water reuse (Wendland et al, 2006) Demands low energy Demands low energy Produces little sludge Produces little sludge Requires simple operation & maintenance Requires simple operation & maintenance

25. the permits. UABJO Project UABJO Project –Permit Requirements Waived Autonomous University Autonomous University Pilot project Pilot project General Process General Process –Environmental Impact Report –Design approval process –Permit required from the National Water Commission

26. the construction.

27. the team. Final Design & Construction

28. site visit: feb 2007.

29. site visit: aug 2007.

30. the final product.

33. the outreach. Guendulain

34. Tlacalula

35. Tlacalula

36. Mitla

37. Huayapam

38. Huayapam

39. the challenges. Political climate Political climate Cultural differences Cultural differences Communication Communication Coordination Coordination Funding Funding Regulatory enforcement Regulatory enforcement Weather Weather

40. the lessons. Employ sincere cultural & political sensitivity Employ sincere cultural & political sensitivity –Changes in government & administration have broad, immediate implications Anticipate emergent events & weak points Anticipate emergent events & weak points Maintain long-term presence Maintain long-term presence Support solid local engagement in project components Support solid local engagement in project components –Apply flexible, transparent, engaged problem solving practices Provide appropriately complex operation, maintenance & evaluation guidelines Provide appropriately complex operation, maintenance & evaluation guidelines

41. the outcomes. On-campus wetland wastewater treatment, reuse & demonstration system On-campus wetland wastewater treatment, reuse & demonstration system Establishment of a university wastewater outreach program Establishment of a university wastewater outreach program –Local information network on wastewater treatment technology –Local wastewater monitoring program

42. the outcomes. The implementation of two constructed wetland wastewater treatment plants stemmed from the first workshop The implementation of two constructed wetland wastewater treatment plants stemmed from the first workshop –Matatlan (~9,000 Inhabitants) –Tlalixtac (~10,000 Inhabitants) The workshop series continues The workshop series continues

43. the future. Provide a venue to create an Oaxaca Committee for Water, Environmental and Health Provide a venue to create an Oaxaca Committee for Water, Environmental and Health Support surrounding communities to implement appropriate water and wastewater projects Support surrounding communities to implement appropriate water and wastewater projects Expand UABJO international exchange opportunities Expand UABJO international exchange opportunities Develop of a local wastewater technical support network Develop of a local wastewater technical support network Continue technical support for UABJO demonstration and outreach programs Continue technical support for UABJO demonstration and outreach programs

44. The Appropedia Foundation: Living library of sustainable development projects in the developing world The Appropedia Foundation: Living library of sustainable development projects in the developing world –http://www.appropedia.org Institute of Nature and Society of Oaxaca: Studies, publications and outreach in Oaxaca, Mexico on watershed management and sustainable development Institute of Nature and Society of Oaxaca: Studies, publications and outreach in Oaxaca, Mexico on watershed management and sustainable development –http://insooaxaca.com My email: tressieword@w-and-k.com My email: tressieword@w-and-k.com some resources.

45. ¿questions?