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Scaling up small scale wastewater treatment systems in low- and middle-income countries: An analysis of challenges and ways forward through the case of Egypt

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  • Reymond, Philippe
  • Abdel Wahaab, Rifaat
  • Moussa, Moustafa Samir
  • Lüthi, Christoph

Abstract

Small scale wastewater treatment systems are a cost-effective and pragmatic alternative to large centralised systems in many contexts. However, despite the huge potential, very few low- and middle-income countries managed to scale-up such systems. This paper explores the barriers in the case of Egypt and provides recommendations to utilities and governments on how to create an enabling environment to do so. The main barriers are institutional. Utilities need to put into place drivers of change: think at scale, reach economies of scale both in terms of management and implementation, adapt the effluent standards and engage the private sector and civil society.

Suggested Citation

  • Reymond, Philippe & Abdel Wahaab, Rifaat & Moussa, Moustafa Samir & Lüthi, Christoph, 2018. "Scaling up small scale wastewater treatment systems in low- and middle-income countries: An analysis of challenges and ways forward through the case of Egypt," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 13-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:52:y:2018:i:c:p:13-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2018.03.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Binz & Bernhard Truffer & Lars Coenen, 2016. "Path Creation as a Process of Resource Alignment and Anchoring: Industry Formation for On-Site Water Recycling in Beijing," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 92(2), pages 172-200, April.
    2. Heiko Gebauer & Mirella Haldimann & Caroline Jennings Saul, 2017. "Business model innovations for overcoming barriers in the base-of-the-pyramid market," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(5), pages 543-568, July.
    3. Abeysuriya, Kumudini & Mitchell, Cynthia & White, Stuart, 2007. "Can corporate social responsibility resolve the sanitation question in developing Asian countries?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 174-183, April.
    4. Carlsson, B & Stankiewicz, R, 1991. "On the Nature, Function and Composition of Technological Systems," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 93-118, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdel Wahaab, Rifaat & Mahmoud, Mohamed & van Lier, Jules B., 2020. "Toward achieving sustainable management of municipal wastewater sludge in Egypt: The current status and future prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Gebrezgabher, Solomie & Kodua, T. & Mateo-Sagasta, Javier, 2022. "Cost of water reuse projects in MENA and cost recovery mechanisms," IWMI Books, Reports H051739, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Valette, Héloïse & Colon, Marine, 2024. "Institutional change for the development of urban sanitation in the Global South: A social science review," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Héloïse Valette & Marine Colon, 2024. "Institutional change for the development of urban sanitation in the Global South: A social science review," Post-Print hal-04561473, HAL.

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