The FiW has been working with the national wastewater authority in Tunisia (ONAS) since its foundation in 1980. Tunisia is a pioneer in North Africa and has more than 110 public biological wastewater treatment plants that can compete with the European standard. Most of them are fed with municipal wastewater. In recent years, Tunisia has rethought its approach, moving away from aerobic sludge stabilization and towards sewage sludge digestion and energy recovery from biogas. FiW has supported this process through its participation in the National Sewage Sludge Action Plan, the preparation of concepts for regional sewage sludge disposal and other advisory services on behalf of KfW Entwicklungsbank.
Continuation of the long-term cooperation between the KfW and ONAS
KfW is expanding the accompanying measures for current and planned investment projects and has commissioned FiW to carry out training and operational support measures. The aim of the current project is to provide basic and advanced training for operating personnel for anaerobic sewage sludge treatment and energetic digester gas utilization. In addition to so-called zebra assignments, that means frequent but short on-site observations of the operation of the sewage treatment plant are planned, as well as transfer of this concept to neighborhoods and internships for operating personnel in Germany.
In addition, the new fermentation technology must undergo approval procedures adapted to Tunisia, which the authorities also have little routine with. FiW makes a valuable contribution by providing expert advice and promoting communication between the various actors, with independent support and in a neutral space.
