Low-tech decentralised wastewater treatment for self-sufficient and climate-resilient water systems (3S&3R)

Decentralised low-tech biological wastewater treatment offers a promising approach to improve water reuse and strengthen local water security. This project focuses on advancing robust and affordable treatment systems for source-separated greywater and blackwater that can be applied at household or neighbourhood scale, particularly in Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanisation, climate-related water stress, and limited wastewater infrastructure increase the need for resilient local solutions.

A central focus is the development and testing of innovative filter media, including biochar and sponge-based materials, to improve treatment performance, support resource recovery, and reduce environmental impact. Pilot systems will be tested in Switzerland, Vietnam, and Thailand to assess technical performance, operational reliability, and adaptability under different climatic and socio-economic conditions.

By combining engineering research with socio-economic assessment and stakeholder engagement, the project contributes to practical design guidelines and policy recommendations for decentralised water reuse systems.

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), and Kasetsart University (KU) bring together complementary expertise in low-tech treatment technologies, wastewater engineering, and local implementation. Through joint research, pilot testing, and knowledge exchange, the partners co-develop decentralised treatment systems tailored to local contexts in Southeast Asia and beyond.