Algae-based wastewater treatment

This policy brief presents a project that facilitates the effective and efficient removal of nutrients and pathogens in wastewater treatment works. These contaminants pose a risk to the health of downstream rural communities and water users, to development opportunities, and to the biological integrity of water resources. The Water Research Commission project with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science and Technology, was carried out with the aim of piloting a self-sustaining system that was independent of electricity or expensive chemicals and that could be effectively operated in spite of financial and capacity constraints.