Instructions

Instructions for the Information Tool are available in pdf-format. Read step-by-step instructions how to use the Information Tool to select best available wastewater treatment system:

How to use the Information Tool (.pdf 0,3Mb)

See also the Introduction animation video to show you how the Information Tool is working.

Disclaimer

The bases for Information Tool is data which have been collected from the manufacturers and/or vendors of wastewater treatment technologies in the bases of questionnaires. The VillageWaters Project trusts the information providers and information their provided.

How to utilize the data

It is important to understand, that the Tool is quite functional, but has also some inherent limitations, therefore please read also disclaimers here.

The Information Tool is made to deliver information about small-scale wastewater treatment plants available in the markets for individual households and villages. The tool does not take into account individual requirements of the target environment; it is possible that there can be demand for more effective purification efficiencies than the existing standard levels. In general, it is recommended for consumers to contact manufacturers or retailers before the final decision. Also, consumers need to contact with a qualified wastewater treatment designers and e.g. construction and environmental authorities of the municipalities to create a wastewater treatment plan to the target area.

In the Information Tool purification efficiencies are announced in per cents. In addition, the contents of the effluent wastewater are announced too. So, these values can be compared to legislative and site-specific requirements. The purification efficiencies of the package plants are mainly based on CE-certified tests. For most of the gray water and soil treatment technologies the purification efficiencies are based on the announcements of the manufacturers. These values are not guaranteed by a third party. In addition, treatment efficiency test method in the EN-standard is even not applicable for the treatment of grey water. One reason for soil treatment is that the purification efficiency varies depending on the local environmental circumstances.

Prices presented in tool are only indicative and can be used only to estimate a right level of the investment and usage costs of the different wastewater treatment solutions. It is important to contact retailers before the purchase decision. Some final prices can be based on the agreement. The installation prices depend on e.g. ground circumstances. Usage costs do not include any additional costs e.g. breaking up the pumps before the expected use age or other excessive problems.

Considering the sludge removal frequency, the tool may give too low sludge removal frequency for equipment running very low capacity. This is because it calculates sludge removal efficiency based on the formation of sludge in relation to sludge storage volume and does not take into account functional needs for sludge removal frequency of the equipment. Quite often the minimum frequency is once a year.