USING NATURE FOR
WATER SANITATION

A set of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), including successful case of studies from projects across the world, are here gathered to help communities learn more and identify which NBS might be suitable for urban water sanitation.

WHAT ARE NATURE-BASED
SOLUTIONS FOR WATER SANITATION?

Nature-based solutions for water sanitation are engineered systems that mimic and use natural environments—with minimal dependence on mechanical elements—to perform the water sanitation process. Nature-based solutions utilize plants, soil, bacteria, and other natural elements and processes to remove pollutants in wastewater. By using nature-based solution, the use of chemicals is minimized and energy is saved. These systems treat wastewater in a sustainable, low cost, low impact manner, and can be designed to have a long performance life. (Reference: NATURAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS – A WATER QUALITY MATCH FOR OREGON’S CITIES AND TOWNS, 2014)

WHY NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
FOR WATER SANITATION?

There are 2.4 billion people without improved sanitation and another 2.1 million with inadequate sanitation and, despite improvements over the past decades, unsafe management of fecal waste and wastewater continues to present a major risk to public health and the environment (UN, 2016).
There is growing interest in low cost sanitation solutions which utilize natural systems. However, it is often difficult for wastewater utility managers to know the best way to combine these with traditional engineered infrastructure. This website presents case studies collected from all over the world that provide insights on potentially applicable nature-based solutions to water sanitation.

This website presents case studies collected from all over the world that provide insights on potentially applicable nature-based solutions to water sanitation.

This collection serves as a compendium of tools, strategies and techniques for applying nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and sanitation, and enables a wide variety of stakeholders to understand the costs and benefits of nature-based solutions within their local context.

Healthier
Environments

Nature-based solutions improve water quality and enhance the natural environment and surrounding habitats.

Connected
Communities

With their aesthetic appeal and restorative properties, natural and open spaces draw people together and strengthen community ties.

Healthier
Communities

Natural areas and nature-based solutions can promote physical and mental health, clean air and clean water, and help enhance human health.

Stronger
Economies

Economic benefits include lower water treatment costs, reduced flood damage costs, healthier fisheries, better recreational opportunities, and increased tourism and economic development.

FIND YOUR SOLUTIONS

Explore over 25 solutions and case-studies that can help your community implement nature-based solutions for water sanitation. First, filter these solutions by scale, type of treated water, energy requirements, and targeted compounds for removal (expert driven approach). Then, insert data on your specific needs andthe tool will provide estimations of the required land surface area (data driven approach, work in progress).

©Maribel Zapater-Pereyra
©IRIDRA, Fabio Masi, Anacleto Rizzo and Ricardo Bresciani

EXPLORE AND CONTRIBUTE

The evidence database includes information from more than 350 case studies published in the scientific literature. Empirical case studies were used to generate a database which includes information such as influent/effluent wastewater characteristics, system surface area, ecosystem services provided, and the quality of treated effluent. We invite researchers and practitioners to provide additional cases from existing systems into the online open database.