Successful Study Visit on Wastewater Sludge Management for the WUC Team

From December 2 to 5, World Water Academy hosted a study visit for seven Botswana’s Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) employees. The program focused on improving sludge management practices in Botswana’s diverse wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Participants left inspired and equipped with tools to enhance sludge treatment processes back home.

Learning from Experts

The visit began at World Water Academy in Nieuwegein with an introductory session led by Jörgen Verschoor and facilitated by Bonny Everaars. They explored sludge treatment processes in the Netherlands and Botswana, encouraging participants to compare practices and bring local examples. Topics like sludge thickening and digestion were discussed, offering practical insights into optimising plant operations.

The second day delved into legislation, regulation, and advanced techniques like sludge dewatering. Experts, including Eddie Koornneef from Royal HaskoningDHV, shared knowledge tailored to the challenges WUC faces.

Field Visits to State-of-the-Art Facilities

On December 4, participants visited cutting-edge facilities, starting with the WWTP and sludge treatment in Apeldoorn. They saw firsthand how sludge is treated at an operational plant, guided by local experts. Later, at GMB Zutphen, they explored sludge composting and discussed innovative ways to repurpose sludge for sustainable use.

Connecting Theory to Practice

Throughout the program, participants worked on assignments to apply their learnings directly to their own scenarios. This culminated in group presentations on the final day, where participants shared strategies for tackling sludge management challenges in Botswana. The session sparked lively discussions on applying treatment techniques in a Botswanan context.

Positive Feedback

Feedback from the WUC team was overwhelmingly positive. Participants appreciated the mix of theoretical insights, practical examples, and interactive sessions. “One of the most valuable aspects of the course is how it aligns theory with practice, and I really appreciated the insights provided by the industry experts,” shared one participant. The participants gave the course an outstanding final score of 9.9!