Overview:

AquaInSilico (AIS), a spin-off company from NOVA University of Lisbon, is commercializing a powerful digital tool to assist waste and wastewater treatment facilities to become more economic and environmentally sustainable. With their track-record experience in bioprocess engineering, experimental data collection and mathematic simulation, they were able to develop predictive models for real-time control of waste/wastewater treatment plants.

The Challenge:

Around the world, about 80% of wastewater is released to the environment without adequate treatment, damaging the ecosystem and affecting human health. Nutrient loading is among the prevalent sources of pollution, contributing to the eutrophication of water bodies, disturbing aquatic habitats or even leading to the depletion of marine corals and extinction of certain species. Small island developing states (SIDS) such as Cape Verde face specific vulnerabilities such as limited freshwater resources and fragile marine ecosystems. PhosValue has the potential to address these challenges by improving wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

The Solution:

AIS developed PhosValue, sustainable solutions for nutrient recycling, consisting of the use of digital technologies, based on metabolic mathematical models and artificial intelligence, to help the wastewater treatment sector optimize its efficiency. UNDP OIC supported the pilot in Santa Catarina Wastewater Treatment Plant in Santiago Island to test its efficiency in optimizing the WWTP operation for the benefit of small island developing states. This was done by simulating different scenarios to enable operational improvements, implementing the one that most effectively increased nutrient removal and recovery, improved treated water quality, and promoted the safe use of composted sludge as a biofertilizer. It also helped reduce wastewater treatment plant operating costs and provided training for technical professionals in Cape Verde.  

Why this matters:

This innovation is crucial for improving the wastewater treatment sector as it supports the climatic transition, by transforming conventional wastewater treatment plants into water resource recovery facilities. It directly supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water), particularly target 14.1 on reducing marine pollution. By promoting sustainable wastewater treatment practices, the project contributes to a healthier ocean, improved livelihoods, and a more resilient future.   

Results & impact:

The results obtained from the sampling campaign carried out after the implementation of PhosValue solutions indicate that the proposed sustainable solutions were able to improve wastewater treatment, reducing the COD and TSS concentrations in the treated effluent by 51% and 59%, respectively, and NH4 and PO4 by 86% and 51%, respectively, when compared to the baseline operation of Santa Catarina. The project also evaluated that the production of reclaimed water with quality enough to be reused could generate revenues of approximately €32 800 a year for Santa Catarina WWTP.

Replicate & scale up:

Key factors for replication include strong government partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and a phased approach to implementing the solutions. The project's experiences and outputs offer valuable resources for other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing similar challenges. Interested individuals, communities, organizations, and investors can access these resources and collaborate with AIS to adapt and implement the solutions in their own contexts.   

Lessons learned:

Project outputs must always meet the necessities of the beneficiary country and be adapted after site recognition. Motivated teams are key to ensuring that project activities are performed according to what was initially planned.