In the heart of Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a pressing challenge: ensuring clean water for its burgeoning urban populations. The N’Djili River, a lifeline for over 7 million residents of Kinshasa, is under threat from pollution, even as water demand surges. A groundbreaking study, published in Discover Sustainability, sheds light on the urgent need for advanced wastewater treatment to secure the city’s water future.
Charles Muanda, a researcher at the Institut National du Batiment Et Des Travaux Pratiques, led the study using the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) system to simulate water supply and quality in the N’Djili sub-catchment. The findings are stark. “By 2035, the unmet water demand will rise to 198 million cubic meters, which is 66% of the total water demand,” Muanda warns. This stark projection underscores the dire need for immediate action.
The research highlights the critical role of advanced wastewater treatment in mitigating pollution. The study found that a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with tertiary treatment, which boasts an 80% mercury removal efficiency, can significantly reduce downstream mercury concentration by 59.88%. However, primary treatment, which involves basic sedimentation and achieves only 20% E. Coli removal, had a negligible impact on reducing E. Coli concentrations.
Muanda emphasizes the necessity of advanced treatment methods. “Only tertiary treatment, through advanced filtration and chemical processes with 80% E. Coli removal efficiency, was able to substantially lower the pollutant concentration in the river at a minimum efficiency of 90%,” he explains. This finding underscores the urgent need for investment in infrastructure that can handle advanced wastewater treatment.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As urban populations grow, so does the demand for energy to power advanced wastewater treatment facilities. This presents an opportunity for energy companies to innovate and provide sustainable solutions. Moreover, ensuring a clean water supply is crucial for industrial processes, which rely heavily on water. Polluted water can lead to costly downtimes and maintenance, making investment in water treatment a strategic move for energy companies.
The study, published in Discover Sustainability, translates to “Discover Sustainability” in English, serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, energy companies, and urban planners. It underscores the need for integrated water management strategies that prioritize pollution mitigation and sustainable water supply. As Muanda puts it, “Investment in infrastructure for advanced wastewater treatment is urgently needed to ensure integrated water management strategies that mitigate pollution and guarantee sustainable water supply for urban populations.”
The research by Muanda and his team at the Institut National du Batiment Et Des Travaux Pratiques is a significant step towards understanding and addressing the water challenges in the DRC. It provides a roadmap for future developments in the field, emphasizing the need for advanced wastewater treatment and integrated water management strategies. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change and urbanization, this study offers valuable insights into securing our water future.