Technological Transfer Centre: urban wastewater treatment experimental platforms for the small rural communities in the Mediterranean area

Urban wastewater treatment in small rural communities, where technical and financial resources are usually limited, can pose a problem. Experience has shown that, when treating wastewater in small communities, the solutions used in larger cities are not applicable. In order to solve the problems involved, a number of alternative solutions have been developed, based on small-scale treatment systems which are adapted to the needs of these areas (non-conventional technologies). In Andalusia (Spain), as well as in Morocco, there are a large number of towns with small populations which have insufficient financial resources or management capacity to deal with the problem of their wastewater treatment using the classical treatment systems which, owing to their operational and maintenance costs and the need for qualified personnel, are not feasible in such towns. In Andalusia there is a centre which has become a reference point of urban wastewater treatment in small rural communities both in Europe and in the whole Mediterranean area: the Carrión de los Céspedes Experimental Plant (PECC) in Seville. Here, in a single area covering 35,000 m2, a number of different treatment systems have been set up, where conventional and non-conventional technologies take pride of place, including combinations of them. On the other hand, in the North of Morocco, the Technological Transfer Centre (CTT) in Tetouan, there is a single area covering 30,000 m2, with different non-conventional treatments systems. Moreover, there is a cooperation centre where the Andalusian and Moroccan administrations can debate about some subjects related with water in both countries.

The work of the PECC has been and is emblematic. The strategy of this Centre and the diversity of wastewater treatment technologies it uses have made it a unique reference point both in Europe and in the Mediterranean area. The aim of PECC has been to promote and diversify the non-conventional technologies so that they can be efficiently applied. The activities in the Centre can be summarised as follows: – An experimental research centre into nonconventional technologies for the treatment of wastewater from small communities. – A meeting point and an interface between the public administration, private enterprise and universities. – Dissemination and diffusion about wastewater subjects. – Training of maintenance personnel for wastewater treatment plants in Andalusia. Future plans in the PECC are oriented towards a series of actions aimed mainly at – Updating and expanding the original project contained in the NCTs Research & Development Plan for Wastewater Treatment in Andalusia. – Moving towards “Sustainability in the Integrated Socio-environmental Treatment of Wastewater”. – To meet the growing demand for demonstrations, training, dissemination and environmental awareness in society. In the CTT, the numerous meetings done between the Moroccan and Spanish Administrations, and other organisms, have converted this Centre in a place of link and debate opened to the cooperation activities in the water framework between both countries.