The Development and Assessment Institute in Wastewater Technology at RWTH Aachen University (PIA e.V.) is conducting the project “The discharge of grey and black water by ships in the polar regions – extent, impact and regulatory options” on behalf of the German Environment Agency (UBA). 

The aim of the project is to collect data and information on the occurrence of black and grey water on board ships travelling the polar regions in order to better assess the impacts on the marine environment associated with discharges of black and grey water along the Arctic and Antarctic Shipping routes.

To do this, the results of published studies on wastewater discharges and their effects on the marine environment in polar regions will first be compiled in a review format. In addition to the compilation and evaluation of existing data, a survey of operators/shipowners of cruise and research ships as well as yachts will provide further insights into the practice of wastewater treatment and discharge on board ships in polar regions. 

The results of the project will be introduced into the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). Proposals for the further development of the applicable international regulations will be discussed. 

Operators of vessels sailing in polar waters are invited to participate in a survey regarding wastewater generation and treatment on board. We would be pleased if you would take part in the survey conducted by PIA e.V. In doing so, you will be making an important contribution to the success of the project. 

The survey can be accessed via the following link: 

https://easy-feedback.com/survey-discharge-in-polar-waters/1590674/yuxtO8 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the project coordinators Mr Markus Joswig (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Ms Toni Rieger (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Despite rapid economic growth and development in Asian developing countries, the population lives under poor condition and is not connected to central public supply related to sanitation such as clean water supply, waste management, wastewater management, and safe faecal sludge management. Mostly population discharge untreated wastewater and faecal sludge to the environment. Besides, the government often faces inefficiency such as the operation of inadequate centralized wastewater treatment plants. Those issues create negative externalities as pollution of surface and groundwater, and affect the quality of life unavoidably.

As a result, Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (DEWAT), which can maintain lower-cost technology in terms of operation and maintenance than the centralized wastewater treatment, has been widely encouraged in the development of innovative technology, and in increasing the quantity of production. DEWAT should be preferably installed at single households or small communities.

Presently in Thailand, septic tanks are designed according to owners theory and hypothesis, and there may be technical staff for maintenance in certain periods. It is a fact that there are too few testing institutions and standards for material test and treatment performance of prefabricated septic tank in the completely ASIAN region. By now manufacturers can only get the results in durability and organic matter reduction of septic tanks.

Also, septic tanks are not covered in the scope in terms of production quality and application in many countries. Hence, it is necessary to verify treatment performance that both users and manufacturers can benefit according to quality production and an increasing level of quality and performance. Therefore developing and improving standards in future is fundamental.

Wir trauern um

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen T. Kettern

Seit der Gründung des PIA e.V. 1999 war Prof. Kettern Mitglied des Vereins. Er war in all den Jahren dem PIA e.V. stets verbunden.

Sein Tod macht uns tief betroffen. Mit ihm verlieren wir einen hoch kompetenten, herzlichen und offenen Freund und Kollegen.

Unser tiefes Mitgefühl gilt seiner Familie.

Am 10. Februar 1999 wurde der Trägerverein Prüf- und Entwicklungsinstitut für Abwasser-technik an der RWTH Aachen e. V. gegründet und beim Amtsgericht Aachen eingetragen. Ziel des Vereins ist die Förderung der For-schung im Bereich der dezentralen Abwas-serbehandlung. In den 20 Jahren seines Bestehens bearbei-teten die Mitarbeiter des PIA e. V. rund 60 Forschungsvorhaben in den Bereichen der dezentralen  Abwasserreinigung  und  der  Schiffsabwasserbehandlung. Neben Forschung und Entwicklung zählen Schulung und Ausbildung zu den Tätigkeits-feldern des PIA e. V., wobei die praxisnahe Vermittlung theoretischer Inhalte im Vorder-grund steht. Als etablierte Veranstaltung des PIA ist insbesondere das „Symposium on the Treatment of Wastewater and Liquid Waste on Ships (kurz SOWOS)“, das seit 2007 jährlich stattfindet, zu nennen.Wir freuen uns, dass der PIA e. V. schon so lange erfolgreich tätig sein konnte und hoffen, dass noch viele interessante Fragestellungen im PIA bearbeitet werden können.

Seventh HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF) in the Baltic Sea meeting will be held at the premises of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) on Wednesday, 13 September 2017. Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention, Observer Organizations as well as other public sector institutions and relevant stakeholders are invited to the meeting of HELCOM Cooperation Platform.

The meeting will particularly focus on the ongoing project of the developement of a “Best Practice Guidance for the handling of wastewater in Ports" for the Special Area Baltic Sea, as well as the results of the CLIA simulation exercise on MARPOL Annex IV Special Area and practical case studies of specific ports, including proposals for next steps for consideration by HELCOM MARITIME 17-2017.

Practical information for participants and the provisional programme are available on the CP PRF 7-2017 Meeting Site in HELCOM Meeting Portal.

Development of a “Best Practice Guidance for the handling of wastewater in Ports" for the Special Area Baltic Sea

Eutrophication is one of the main threats to the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea and is caused by excessive input of nutrients to the marine environment. A part of the nutrient input originates from shipping. From 2000 to 2014, the number of cruise passengers in the Baltic Sea has increased by almost 250%, as well as cruise ship calls by 53% (Cruise Baltic Statistics 2014). As a consequence, the Baltic Sea has been designated as first MARPOL Annex IV Special Area at the initiative of HELCOM. Passenger ships intending to discharge sewage within the Special Area have to comply with more stringent regulations on nitrogen and phosphorous removal. The requirements can be met by either installing advanced wastewater treatment systems or discharging the sewage to port reception facilities (PRF). This creates challenges for the Baltic ports, shipping companies and municipal wastewater treatment plants. Therefore the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH) commissioned this project on the development of a “Best Practice Guidance for the Handling of Wastewater in Ports”, which will provide information and concrete guidance for involved parties and HELCOM member states.

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Manufacturers of environmental technologies interested in obtaining officially recognized proof of product quality and performance, may take part in the new EU program for the Verification of Environmental Technologies (ETV). Environmental technologies for water treatment and reuse that qualify for the ETV program are such products that are ready to market or finishing pre-commercial development, with performance claims not covered by existing regulations and standards. In accordance with ISO 14034:2016 these products may be verified by an independent accredited institution to assess selected quality and performance parameters. The ISO 14034:2016 standard was introduced to support manufacturers in introduction and marketing of environmental products, by providing them with the opportunity to acquire an official European ETV verification. Ascertaining and proving individual advantages and selected performance claims for environmental products on the basis of independent verification may thus improve investor and customer resonance as well and lead to overall marketing advantages.
The ISO 14034:2016 method describes multiple steps that lead to the issuing of an official verification statement. PIA supports companies to participate in the ETV program, including initial ETV request, composition of a detailed ETV application and the handling of the overall testing process. In its role as an accredited testing laboratory, PIA offers to conduct practical hands-on testing procedures in accordance with an EN ISO/IEC 17025 when required. After completion, the ETV program is concluded with the issuing of the official ETV verification statement.

Immer mehr Menschen machen Urlaub auf dem Meer. Wichtiges Thema bei Kreuzfahrten ist die umweltgerechte Entsorgung von Abwässern. In den Zukunftsfeldern "Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften und Energie" und "Nachhaltige Mobilität" wird daran auch im Rahmen der Neuen Hightech-Strategie der Bundesregierung geforscht.

Weiterlesen unter http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Artikel/2015/07/2015-07-21-unweltfreundlich-kreuzfahren.html