CLOSING REMARKS
- ​Urine separation has the potential to drastically reduce the complexity of WWTPs, but this is only achievable at around 80-85% urine separation.
- Any level of urine separation is beneficial, but the real benefits are only unlocked above 80-85% urine separation, where the WWTP setup can be made simpler.
- ​Urine separation, when combined with the installation of low-flow and flushless toilets, can save up to 20% freshwater.
- Urine separation can improve various WWTP effluent quality parameters, leading to a reduced impact on the natural environment.
Conclusions
Recommendations
- Urine separation has many potential benefits, but the implementation would be costly. Government investment into the idea is critical to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is provided.
- Achieving 80% urine separation is not realistic in urban centres, and this technology would be more appropriate being installed in new buildings and airports, stadia, office blocks etc. However, any level of urine separation would increase the capacity and improve the effluent quality of WWTPs.
- Existing WWTPs should be optimised if this technology is implemented.
- Urine separation has the potential to reduce the complexity and reduce the skills necessary to operate WWTPs - ensuring better effluent quality and fewer operator errors.
- Urine separation has benefits when combined with other technologies such as seawater toilet flushing, and this combined technology (under investigation by Prof George Ekama) has great potential to save water and improve sustainability.
Acknowledgements
This author wishes to thank and acknowledge Professor George Ekama, an academic giant in this field, for his continued support, guidance and 'approachability' throughout this thesis. Also, I wish to thank him for the inspiration and direction for this topic.
References
Notable references used throughout this eportfolio include:

Ekama, G. A. 2011. Saline sewage treatment and source separation of urine for more sustainable urban water management. Water Science and Technology. 64(6): 1307-1316

Mbaya, A. M. 2011. Impact of urine diversion on biological nutrient removal activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (BNRAS WWTP). MSc Thesis. University of Cape Town, Department of Civil Engineering. Cape Town. (Unpublished)

Wilsenach, J. A. 2006. Treatment of source separated urine and its effects on wastewater systems. Ph.D Thesis. Delft University of Technology. Delft, Netherlands.
Further Research
Further research is warranted, and including a physical aspect (such as batch-testing) is recommended. Also, further research where urine separation is combined with technology such as seawater toilet flushing is recommended. Only with further research can the impacts and potential benefits be validated and understood.
