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Resource-Oriented Sanitation: On-Farm Septage Treatment and Nutrient Recycling for Sustainable Agriculture in the Philippines

Author

Listed:
  • Carla Mae Jabar Pausta

    (Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering (CEHE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Michael Angelo Baliwag Promentilla

    (Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines
    Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines
    National Research Council of the Philippines, General Santos Avenue Bicutan, Taguig 1630, Philippines)

  • Alberto Leyes Longos

    (Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines)

  • Aileen Huelgas Orbecido

    (Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines
    Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines)

  • Arnel Bas Beltran

    (Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines
    Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines)

  • Regina Gador Damalerio

    (Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines
    Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines)

  • Maria Eda Apple Artesano Suplido

    (Agrivet Sciences Institute, De La Salle Araneta University, Salikneta Farm, Brgy. Upper Ciudad Real, San Jose Del Monte City 1475, Philippines)

  • Devendra Saroj

    (Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering (CEHE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Nutrient recovery technologies have been constantly developed and optimised to address challenges in water and wastewater management, sanitation, and agri-food systems, while promoting sustainable management of resources and circular phosphorous economy. However, these technologies have been rarely explored beyond the laboratory-scale in developing countries where it is mostly needed. In this study, a nutrient recovery batch reactor system was installed at a local farm in the Philippines to process raw septage from an onsite sanitation system, a septic tank, to recover a high-value fertiliser for local crop production. The batch reactor was used for two processes, namely acid hydrolysis for pre-treatment of septage and chemical precipitation for recovered phosphorous fertiliser (RPF). The recovered fertiliser was then applied to produce eggplants and tomatoes, which are the common crops grown in the farm. Results show that an average of 290 g of RPF was produced for every 100 L of raw septage processed. With hydrolysis, 77% of the phosphate concentration were released as phosphates from the solid component of the raw septage. About 98.5% of phosphates were recovered from the hydrolysed septage. The RPF when applied to the farm’s eggplants and tomatoes has yields comparable to that of the commercial fertilisers. This study was able to demonstrate the potential of a resource-oriented sanitation system that promotes nutrient recycling towards sustainable agriculture that further leads to meeting the United Nations sustainable development goals, particularly zero hunger (goal 2), clean water and sanitation (goal 6), sustainable cities and communities (goal 11), and responsible consumption and production (goal 12).

Suggested Citation

  • Carla Mae Jabar Pausta & Michael Angelo Baliwag Promentilla & Alberto Leyes Longos & Aileen Huelgas Orbecido & Arnel Bas Beltran & Regina Gador Damalerio & Maria Eda Apple Artesano Suplido & Devendra , 2023. "Resource-Oriented Sanitation: On-Farm Septage Treatment and Nutrient Recycling for Sustainable Agriculture in the Philippines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:9904-:d:1176267
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Jedelhauser & Jonas Mehr & Claudia R. Binder, 2018. "Transition of the Swiss Phosphorus System towards a Circular Economy—Part 2: Socio-Technical Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Alessio Siciliano & Carlo Limonti & Giulia Maria Curcio & Raffaele Molinari, 2020. "Advances in Struvite Precipitation Technologies for Nutrients Removal and Recovery from Aqueous Waste and Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-35, September.
    3. Sina Shaddel & Hamidreza Bakhtiary-Davijany & Christian Kabbe & Farbod Dadgar & Stein W. Østerhus, 2019. "Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management: From Current Practices to Emerging Nutrient Recovery Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Jonas Mehr & Michael Jedelhauser & Claudia R. Binder, 2018. "Transition of the Swiss Phosphorus System towards a Circular Economy—Part 1: Current State and Historical Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Marzena Smol & Michał Preisner & Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Ludwig Hermann & Tanja Schaaf & Jolita Kruopienė & Kastytis Pamakštys & Maris Klavins & Ruta Ozola-Davidane & Daina Kalnina & Elina, 2020. "Strategies for Sustainable and Circular Management of Phosphorus in the Baltic Sea Region: The Holistic Approach of the InPhos Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
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