Abstract

Source-separation of urine enables energy-efficient recycling of large quantities of high quality plant nutrients from the wastewater system to food production. To manage the risk of diseases transmission the urine should be sanitised, which is commonly done by storage. The sanitisation of urine at three ambient exposures, resulting in fluctuating storage temperatures, was studied in 10 L plastic jerry cans in Kampala, Uganda. Follow-up studies using similar temperature cycles were performed under laboratory conditions. Daily mean mid-point temperature in jerry cans in full sun, adjacent to a wall and indoors was 24, 24 and 22 degrees C (amplitude 7.5, 4.7 and 1.2 degrees C), respectively. In urine stored at full sun (total ammonia nitrogen 4 +/- 1.5 g L-1, pH 9) Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Enterococcus spp. (initially 10(5)-10(6) cfu mL(-1)) were not detected (<10(1) cfu mL(-1)) after 11 h, 14 h and 50 d, respectively. No viable Ascaris suum eggs were found after 40 d. The t(90) for enterobacteria phage MS2, coliphage Phi X 174 and Salmonella typhimurium phage 28B in sun-exposed cans was 8.2, 37 and 55 d respectively. Fluctuating temperatures in combination with ammonia gave faster inactivation of bacteria and Ascaris suum eggs than the same constant mean temperature.

Keywords

inactivation; pathogen; sanitisation; source-separation; temperature; urine

Published in

Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
2013, Volume: 3, number: 2, pages: 181-188
Publisher: IWA PUBLISHING

SLU Authors

• Nordin, Annika

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Niwagaba, Charles Buregeya

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jönsson, Håkan

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Vinnerås, Björn

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Water Engineering
Infrastructure Engineering
Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2013.174

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/56201