Challenges of Treatment & Reuse of Industrial Wastewater in Developing Countries – Case of Kuwait

Introduction Providing safe drinking-water for all is a cornerstone of protecting people from illness, and it is the responsibility of the water supplier/operator to ensure that the drinking-water they provide is safe regardless of the number of people served and the type of population. In 2002 the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association (NZWWA) in conjunction with the New Zealand Water Environment Research Foundation (NZWERF) conducted a survey of New Zealand small water systems (systems that supply water to fewer than 500 people). The survey attempted to identify how well the systems were being managed, and what difficulties the industry experienced in meeting the requirements as set out in the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2000 (DWSNZ). The objective of the report was to highlight the trends and issues facing small water systems. The interviewers undertook a visual inspection of the systems and rated the plant in the majority of systems (85 percent) as in excellent or satisfactory condition; although ‘satisfactory’ does not mean that they were DWSNZ compliant. The 15 percent of the systems that were rated as unsatisfactory were given this rating mainly for having no (or an inadequate level) of treatment. Only 40 percent of surface water sources were reported to be fenced, at least 20 percent of the groundwater sources had insecure head works, and 47 percent of roof water sources had no flushing points. The storage tanks for 33 percent of the systems were considered to have inadequate vermin protection or were incorrectly sealed, NZWWA (2002).

INTRODUCTION Challenges require IWRM; Challenges faced by more and more countries in their struggle for economic and social development are increasingly related to water. Water shortages, quality deterioration and flood impacts are among the problems which require greater attention and action. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process which can assist countries in their endeavour to deal with water issues in a cost-effective and sustainable way. The concept of IWRM has attracted particular attention following the international conferences on water and environmental issues in Dublin and Rio de Janeiro held during 1992; however IWRM has neither been unambiguously defined nor has the question of how it is to be implemented been fully addressed. What has to be integrated and how is it best done? Can the agreed broad principles for IWRM be operationalized in practice – and, if so, how?

To advance the beneficial and efficient uses of high-quality, locally produced, sustainable water sources for the betterment of society and the environment through advocacy, education and outreach, research, and membership.