Israel wastewater plant cited as a 'global model' by UN

The United Nations has cited Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant in Israel as being a global model for sewage treatment.

Known to the Israelis as Shafdan, the plant uses a unique method of using sand to naturally filter-treated sewage. The plant is one of 30 projects from around the world that has been highlighted by the UN to demonstrate the ability of local authorities to deal with environmental problems.

A unique method of using natural filtration qualities of sand in order to improve the quality of sewage was the primary reason behind the plant achieving the award. Wastewater is sent to a factory to be purified, before being recharged into the ground, where it undergoes an additional, natural filtration in the sands of Rishon Letzion and Yavne. This method improved the quality of the water such that it can ultimately be used safely for all forms of irrigation.

A new report has been published by the UN Environment Programme and ICLEI, which is an international association of local governments that have made a commitment to sustainable development. The report details the environmental challenges facing cities, and has been published ahead of the Conference on Sustainable Development that was held in Rio de Janeiro.

Urban cities have become a major area of concern, with huge densities of greenhouse gases. Although they only compromise one to two per cent of the earth's surface, they cause around 80 per cent of greenhouse gases and are home to around half of the world's population.

The new report highlights the belief that local authorities are capable of organising and dealing with a variety of environmental problems without being dependent on federal assistance, showing 30 examples of local bodies doing just this from around the world.

The Shafdan plant that was named on the list belongs to the local authorities in the Dan region, but Mekorot, the national water company, is responsible for administering and carrying out the purification process.
 

Posted by Joseph Hutton