Inauguration of the new dezentralized wastewater treatment system

Majani Ya Chai Secondary School in Ilala (1170 students) had poor sanitation facilities. Thanks to the financial commitment of the Ilala Municipality, the Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control Organization (EEPCO) in co-operation with BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the sanitation facilities could be upgraded, and a Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) could be installed. DEWATS includes a biogas production for the school kitchen, and the re-use of treated wastewater for the irrigation of the school garden. A caretaker assigned by the school will be trained in the operation and the maintenance of the plant.

This new system improves the basic health, hygiene and sanitation in the Majani Ya Chai Secondary School. The students formed a Sanitation Club to adopt and promote hygiene and sanitation in the school and the community.

This is the first decentralized wastewater treatment system in a Tanzanian school, and has been set up to encourage other schools and communities to utilize simple technologies such as DEWATS to improve sanitation and health.