Why implement a technology such as urine separation?
​MOTIVATION
To save water
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Freshwater is a precious resource and should not be wasted.
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Urine separation has the potential to save freshwater resources.

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South Africa is a water-scarce country and we need to save water. Any technology or ideas that save water and prevent the need to build new dams and exploit more water resources should be promoted.
Toilet flushwater contributes between 20-30% of South African municipal wastewater. Urine flushes number around 5 per person per day, which represents the direct water saving potential of urine separation technology (if combined with flushless urine separation toilets).
Different toilet technology options to separate urine while using little of no water. a) Conventional toilet with flushless urine diversion and flushable faecal chamber b) Completely flushless urine separation toilet c) Waterless/flushless urinals which concentrate urine
South Africa is a water-scarce country and we need to save water. Any technology or ideas that save water and prevent the need to build new dams and exploit more water resources should be promoted.
To improve WWTP effluent quality and decrease complexity
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The situation in South Africa's wastewater industry is dire: many WWTPs do not meet effluent criteria guidelines and are putting out effluent that harms the environment. This could be because many plants are operating over their capacity, or because the plants are complex and the operators do not have the skills to be operated effectively.
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Urine separation has the potential to improve the effluent quality and decrease the complexity of WWTPs.
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Eutrophication has negative effects on the environment. Eutrophication is caused by high concentrations of Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Urine contains 80% of the Nitrogen and 50% of the Phosphorous in wastewater, so urine separation could improve WWTP effluent quality. To learn more about Eutrophication, click here:
Algal blooms can be toxic to indigenous wildlife
Nationally, there are regions where the performance of WWTPs is cricitcal (shown in red). These regions are in desperate need of funding, skills and improvements
Eutrophication has negative effects on the environment. Eutrophication is caused by high concentrations of Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Urine contains 80% of the Nitrogen and 50% of the Phosphorous in wastewater, so urine separation could improve WWTP effluent quality. To learn more about Eutrophication, click here:
To increase WWTP Capacity
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Urine separation has the potential to drastically increase the capacity of existing WWTPs or allow new WWTPs to be significantly smaller and cheaper. This will prevent new WWTPs from having to be built, saving money.​

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WWTPs are costly and take up space. If technology can be found to limit the need to build new WWTPs, this technology should be embraced.
By increasing the capacity of new and existing WWTPs, many more people will be able to be connected to sewers and have access to sanitation.
In a BNR WWTP setup, Nitrification and Denitrification processes aid Nitrogen Removal and contribute around 75%
WWTPs are costly and take up space. If technology can be found to limit the need to build new WWTPs, this technology should be embraced.