UNOPS has the capacity and expertise to implement large-scale sewerage treatment projects necessary when sewage planning or infrastructure are insufficient.

Many different materials make up sewage and pose serious environmental and health risks. Human waste can contain disease-causing agents like bacteria, organic matter that can cause odor and nuisance problems and hold nutrients that may pollute the receiving bodies of water.

In order to minimize the public health risks, measures commonly used to treat sewage include conventional reticulated collection, three-stage physical treatment processes and the more modern membrane-based technologies.

Sound feasibility studies identifying the best approach for the given environmental, fiscal and geographical conditions are often overlooked in post conflict or disaster situations. Feasibility studies assess future demand whilst addressing sustainability, maintenance and the operational capacities available.

Following a feasibility study, UNOPS can implement the works with professional supervision ensuring high-quality results. UNOPS has the technical ability to conduct these studies and has global experience in delivering successful projects.

Examples of existing or recent UNOPS implemented sewerage works projects include facilities in the Maldives and Peru.

Maldives

UNOPS delivered a comprehensive sewage treatment project in the Maldives in 2007. In partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as part of the long-term effort to rebuild following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, UNOPS helped provide a higher level of hygiene for 5,036 people on four of the Maldives islands. The facilities provided include a steel structure housing a sludge-drying bed, another steel and concrete structure containing a sewage treatment plant, 12 Aqua-tech sedimentation tanks and 10 water tanks with a capacity of 2,500 litres, donated by UNICEF. The project implemented a unique waste disposal technology which uses a central vacuum station to collect sewage from thousands of individual homes, an approach that is highly economical in flat sandy soils with high ground water levels. Ungoofaaru, Nilandoo, Meedhoo and Manadhoo islands have all benefited from the project .

Peru

In the La Libertad region of north western Peru partnering with UNOPS is constructing a sewerage network for the town of El Progreso. The town currently has no existing treatment system for waste leading to a high incidence of contagious and parasitic disease amongst the population. The project will provide a new pipe drainage network and two reinforced concrete pools for primary and secondary waste treatment as well as providing local employment in the course of construction. The new sewerage system will benefit the 510 people currently living in El Progreso and future generations.