Environmental research

With the current emphasis on environmental health and water pollution issues, there is an increasing awareness of the need to dispose of community wastewaters safely and beneficially. Naturally, the sewage water is rich in nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds, which increases the level of algal booming (eutrophication) in treatment pond systems. Algae can produce potent toxins which are potentially dangerous to humans, livestock and domestic animals that may drink or swim in (For earth, 2013). Decaying algae in the stagnant water also has bad odor and the algae mats harbor E. coli and other pathogenic organisms, protozoan and helminthes, which causes diseases. The main focus of the proposed project is development of safe disposal, treatment and utilization of sewage water for production of energy and agricultural inputs (bio-fertilizers). With the specific objective of establishing compatible technology using sewage water microalgae to reduce environmental and health impacts in the community, strong partnerships will be build with key stakeholders involved in water and sewage management, environmental watch, energy, health and agricultural development. A planning activity will thus be organized to bring together the key stakeholders to plan and agree on the time-bound programme of action with clearly defined roles. Key project activities are categorized in the following: i. Development of potent bacterial and microalgae strains ii. Construction of anaerobic digester iii. Process optimization; qualitative and quantitative data generation iv. Crop yield assessment and data generation v. Data consolidation, report compilation and presentation The production of bio-fuel (methane) from sewage water microalgae and industrial effluents is sustainable so long as the flow of sewage water from the community and firm always exist. Once implemented, the technology would provide permanent solution to the community and firm in terms of safe disposal of waste water and energy requirements having clean environment. Besides, it will provide agricultural input (bio-fertilizer) for crop production in place of using industrial fertilizers, which eventually reduces production cost and lead to family food security.

Lesotho