Training Workshops and Water Leadership
Some of our WWG members can conduct training workshops for governments, engineers, architects and designers and others interested in learning the design process and considerations for implementing constructed wetlands.
We also provide a condensed 1h30 min module (“Water Leadership Training”) that is aimed at decision makers who are not familiar with or don’t have much time to study the field of sanitation and the existing options of wastewater treatments, among which constructed wetlands.
For prices and availability, please contact us “fc at ecotechnics.edu”
Examples of Training Workshops:
Algeria
We led an intensive 3-days workshop for governmental officials, engineers, architects and construction managers in Temacine Algeria – At the request of and funded by Association SHAMS, the Algerian Ministry of Water / Department of Health and Environmental Protection (MRE/DAPE), with the support of the the Belgian Development Agency to develop new integrated water resources management practices (Programme de Coopération Algéro-Belge ALG0500711, GIRE algérois) and the Municipality of Témacine, Touggourt, Algeria.
This training took place in parallel to the study and implementation of a 400m2 pilot WWG municipal sewage water treatment plant for 15m3/day of organic sewage water (equivalent of 100-150 persons +/-), both black and grey waters, coming from local habitants in the site of the millenary Old Ksar of Témacine.
Indonesia
We led several training workshops and one recent in-depth update that led to I Gede Sugiartha joining WWGI ; we are grateful as he is doing wonderful work throughout the country, including designing systems for densely urban or coastal settings, never forgetting that function can go with aesthetics and visual integration.
Irak – “EDEN IN IRAK”
Initiated by Nature Iraq (NI) (http://www.natureiraq.org/waterkeepers-iraq.html, a local organization set-up to preserve important ecological regions and distinctive cultures in Iraq and creator of the Mesopotamian National Park, the first National Park in Iraq, to protect these marshes and the Marsh Arab culture, among the oldest in the world), WWGI was invited to design and build a treatment plant.
The brief was to treat the wastewater of two Marsh Arab towns with populations from 15-45,000 people (Al Manar and Al Fuhud) and to offer a framework workshop in constructed wetlands technology for local engineers and scientists from the Iraqi Ministries of Water Resources, Environment and the Protection of Iraqi Wetlands, as well as for staff of the Commission for the Protection of the Iraqi marshes.
Through a collaboration with artist and Professor Prof. Meridel Rubenstein of the Nanying Technical University of Singapore, the treatment plant integrates symbolic, historical and artistic elements, “Restoring Eden” (www.meridelrubenstein.com/eden-in-iraq; https://edeniniraq.com).
The completion of the 1st stage has taken place in 2023, no more raw sewage in the marshlands, for 2000 m3/day; funds are currently being raised for completion of secondary treatment and reuse of the treated water.
Note: These marshes were turned into desert in the 1990s when in punishment for an uprising against the government, diversion canals 800 km long, sent the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to the west. Since 2003, the diversion canals have been ruptured by local Marsh Arabs, and now over half the original marshlands, an important migratory bird habitat, has been restored. Up to half a million Marsh Arabs who were forced to leave are now returning to the region.
Please see https://wastewatergardens.com/projects/iraq/ for further information.
(Photos of the workshop given in el-Chibaish)
Pakistan
At the initiative of HANDS Pakistan, we were invited to train and provide a 10-days design and construction workshop with a follow-up and retraining one year later, to find solutions for “end of the pipe” septic outflows via constructed wetlands, water ponds in saline and non-saline environments and permaculture techniques to solve problems about farming and malnutrition.
Partial list of “Water Leadership” seminars:
Morroco – AFRICITIES 2018, Marrakech
“The Transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories, The Role of Local and Sub-National Governments of Africa”.
Two keynote seminars for the meeting held every 3 years uniting all municipalities from the African continent on sustainable sanitation (Sanitation for sustainable Water Governance). Sessions: “Local Strategies for access
to Water and Sanitation to all” (ST9) and “The Blue Gold in Africa (SOU82), 20-24 November 2018.
Singapore
“Value, cycle and options of sewage treatment for sustainable urbanization and development: shift of paradigm and good practice in the integration of the water cycle in architecture and landscaping for long term ecological and economical resilience”.
For the National University of Singapore (NUS), School of Design & Environment, Ph. D. students, Singapore, 12 November 2014.
“Sustainable water management: current situation and Plea for Intelligence, wisdom and good governance - Overview of the values, cycles and options of sewage treatment and Management for sustainable urbanism and development”, First Toa Payoh Primary School, Cicada Tree Eco-Place (www.cicadatree.org.sg), 6 avril 2013.
Indonesia – Gyaniar, Bali
“Sanitation Basic Principles – Overview of framework Values, cycles and options of excreta and sewage effluent treatment from the perspective of practical health promotion, poverty alleviation, long term ecological and economical sustainability”, workshop, Yayasan IDEP (www.idepfoundation.org), 10 May 2013.
Indonesia – Nusa Dua, Bali
“Water and Tourism in Bali: Water and Wastewater overview, challenges and solutions for good water stewardship”, Green Team Meeting by the Bali Hotel Association, 17 September 2012.
Indonesia – Kuta, Bali
“Cycle, value and options of sewage treatment in urbanism and development with a special focus on constructed wetlands for sustainable sanitation”, seminar for the Bali Clean and Green Forum, at the co. initiative of the Governor of Bali, supported by the chief of Bali Environmental Agency (BLH-Bali), A.A.G.A. Sastrawan, Little Tree, “Ecologically Sustainable Solutions”, 20 April 2012.
Turkey – Antalya
“Seminar on Constructed Wetlands to treat Wastewater”, for the municipality and local businesses, 1 June 2012.
France – Paris
“To understand the cycle, the value and options of sewage treatment in urbanism and development”, training for architecture and urbanism firm ATSP (http://www.atsp.eu/), 2 July, NGO Pro-Natura International (http:www.pronatura.org), July 2010. Introduction to ETIMOS France and CONJUNTO PALMEIRAS Brazil (http://www.bancopalmas.org.br)
Maldives – Male’
“Understanding the value and use of nutrients in sewage water: Constructed Wetlands for economical and ecological applications in the field of private and public sanitation”, presentation for “21st Century Innovations in Green Technology: Application to the Maldives” and public company MWSC (Malé Water and Sewerage Company); training recipient including the former President, 5 May 2009.
Maldives – Maroshi island (North Miladhunmadulhu Atoll – Shaviani Atoll, Al-Madhrasathul Munavvara) and Guraidhoo (Kaafu Atoll)
“Basic Ecology, understanding Sewage, the value and use of nutrients and the principal steps of sanitation”, May and July 2009.
United Kingdom – London
“Constructed Wetlands: Re-integration of the water-cycle in the design and construction phases of urban development”, for architecture and urbanism firm Penoyre & Prasad LLP, 20 February 2009.