On the first day we started our hospital tour at the decentralized wastewater treatment system(DEWATS). What a complex, state-of-the-art system!
Mr Kikoti, Dr Malamala and Dr Petro led us to the DEWATS site at the bottom of the hillside below the guesthouses and nursing dormitory. Oscar Mbekenga, CEO of Obsen Environmental Engineering in DAR, explained the construction and operation of the system. We learned that he had been trained in Europe so that may explain his knowledge and skills for the sophisticated 3 stage waste treatment system.
Oscar showed us the nearly completed first treatment stage. The raw sewage enters two oval biogas chambers and methane producing organisms digest the organic material to produce methane gas. A biogas outlet pipe transports gas to be used in the hospital to heat water or any other combustion purpose. Next, we could see where water will overflow into a multi-chamber, baffled settler where remaining solids settle and treated water continues.
He then walked with us to see where water will overflow into a yet-to-be-built root treatment system of a planted, gravel filter for final treatment to make it suitable for agricultural irrigation.
The result will replace the century old, minimally functioning septic tanks with a system that protects the ground and water from contamination, produces methane gas for heating needs of hospital and ends with treated water for irrigation.
Our group asked many questions to clarify details and Oscar was able to answer them all.
For me personally, I feel a bond with Oscar because he and I shared frustrating problems in getting the first wire transfer of funds to get to his bank account. We can now laugh about tens of thousands of dollars held in the SWIFT banking system for 2 weeks but at the time it was a quite a scare. Subsequent banking adventures had no drama. Meeting Oscar in person and hearing his detailed explanation of the system was a great experience!
Kent
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