" Technology provided by Suppliers.

Small wastewater treatment (inclusive of package plants) are a common form of service utility in sewage treatment for smaller communities and are needed where sewerage reticulation is absent due inadequate space, difficult terrain, remoteness of areas in need and where standards set are higher than the effluent quality obtained from simple septic tank systems. The SWWTW industry in South Africa has grown rapidly from a small base and is currently unregulated in terms of process design, construction materials, etc. Most of the suppliers are not process experts but rather entrepreneurs who have funded the development of their product using limited resources. In this industry, traditionally maintenance contracts were not required by purchasers. Furthermore, some property developers provided the SWWTW suppliers with incorrect flow and strength data on which to base the design, or added extra housing units onto an existing plant without expanding it and Body Corporates also tended to neglect the operation and maintenance of the plants. The aims of this project were as follows: • Develop a framework of standards for small wastewater treatment technologies, which is practical for South Africa. • Assess and recommend how the framework of standards will work within the sector ensuring that duplication is eliminated in the process. • Develop a conceptual model with key criteria for an independent testing facility of the different technologies, including the evaluation of the feasibility of using existing in South Africa. • Develop an accreditation system for technologies by the various suppliers which will encompass technical and managerial aspects, including a modification of the Green Droplet System that is currently used by DWA. This should also include the institutional and cost issues pertaining to implementation. This study resulted in the compilation of 2 reports: SELF-REGULATION OF THE PACKAGE PLANTS/SWWTW INDUSTRY: VOLUME 1 – Development of Proposed Framework of Standards, a Conceptual Model for a Test Facility and an Accreditation System for Each “New” Technology Provided by Suppliers VOLUME 2 – Development of a “Green Droplet” Accreditation System Volume 1 provides an introduction to the framework of standards which could be adapted for use in South Africa, and discusses their strengths and weaknesses, together with the feasibility of scaling them up for use on larger Works.