Wastewater treatment and reuse for agriculture in order to eliminate the sanitary problem of wastewater without purifying at the Libyan cities.
Overall objective:
Support Libyan municipalities finding solutions to improve public services quality and delivery.
Specific objectives:
- Training in wastewater treatment
- Training in reuse of wastewater for irrigation
- Sharing experience and good practices implemented on these matters in the Region of Murcia.
- Potential application in Libyan communities.
During the last years, Libya has practically been in a state of conflict and its water supply infrastructure has been severely affected. Libya is one of the driest countries in the world, with only the narrow coastal region (less than 5% of the country) getting more than 100 mm of rain a year. The maintenance and the functioning of the water supply system in Libya now lay on the local authorities
The Region of Murcia located in the southeast of Spain is a semi-arid zone, has an average annual rainfall of 300 mm. However, throughout history has developed a great skill for using water: canals systems, ground water, desalination plants, and reuse waste water. Furthermore has implemented drip irrigation systems.
The Region of Murcia hosts training centres in agricultural technologies and use of water, as well as modern installation of irrigation and recycling water. Training shall be provided by the Centre for Innovation and Training Experimental Agricultural (CIFEA).
Region of Murcia is committed to helping Libyan Local Authorities in different topics of water management.
Resources needed
Training program with a duration of 100 hours to 20 students on waste water treatment and reuse for irrigation (including technical and scientific visits).
Evidence of success
Libyan experts and local council members formed in water management and prepared to apply this knowledge in Libya.
Results achieved:
- Knowledge to assess water governance in Libya.
- Knowledge in relation to operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater supply system.
- Knowledge in water reuse and irrigation practices.
- The educational institutions know the technologies available to encourage implement.
Difficulties encountered
- Difficulties with the language having to translate everything into Arabic language.
- Cultural and social differences that sometimes affected the development of activities.
- Difficulty to implement what was learned because of the political situation of the country.
Potential for learning or transfer
Climate and agriculture very similar between some areas of Libya and the Region of Murcia.
The Murcia Region conducted this course aimed at a group of Libyan engineers and was carried out within the framework of the "Nicosia Initiative", a mechanism launched by the Committee of the Regions of Europe and the Regional and Local Assembly Euro-Mediterranean (ARLEM) to channel the cooperation of European regions and cities with Libyan cities.
Budget: 55,000 € (20% co-financing Committee of the Regions of the European Union)
Tags: Resource, Efficiency
