Membrane application in water treatment for sustainable reuse in aqualculture and irrigation in the Victoria lake region (Vicinaqua project)

Lake Victoria is a shared water resource between Kenya , Uganda and Tanzania and it represents the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It supports a population of about 30 million people, through large-scale fishing, agriculture, local industries, tourism and related activities. Lake Victoa has long since suffered from the consequences of overexploitation of its resources . mainly fish stocks anc increasingly high pollution. The installation and operation of a pilot membrane bioreactor (MBR) in Kisumu , Kenya , is part of the EU funded project ViclnAqua which follows an integrated approach by providing an integral. sustain- able, innovative, cost effective and robust solution for water sanitation combined with the demand for clean water in aquaculture and irrigation. By linking these important economic branches for the region, ViclnAqua "Ici rpresent a future technology for strengthening national interests. The innovative System comprises a pilot MBR as part of a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) located next to a wastewater stabilization pond in Nyalenda , Kisumu , Kenya. The RAS is able to recirculate 90%~95% of its water volume ; only the water loss through evaporation and drum filter back flushing has to be replaced. Therefore , the MBR , consisting of a 2 x 3 m2 submerged, flat membrane modules of commercial polyethersulfone membranes as well as newly developed membranes with a low-fouling coating (PBM type)[1-3] , has been installed to treat domestic wastewater to be reused in the RAS system. ITM- CNR is involved in the core part of the project being responsible for the development of a new class of self-cleaning coatings ( PBM) applied on the surface of commercial membranes for MER technology. The oxygenic activity of inorganic nano-catalysts is explored for an effective self-cleaning of the membrane providing a regenerative and anti-fouling process. Additionally, the MBR treated water is used for irrigating a variety of local vegetables. Finally, the pilot operation compares the performance of the commercial vs. novel low-fouling membranes. References [1] Galiano F, et al . J. Membr Sci, 2015 , 482;: 103-114. [2] Deowan S, et al. J Membr Sci, 2016, 510; 524-532. [3] Figoli A, et al.. Patent n. PCT/ EP2014/070603 ; WO2014/EP()70603, 2014.