Guidelines and manuals
2006 • World Health Organization (WHO) WHO guidelines on the safe use of wastewater, excreta, and greywater - Volume 3: Wastewater and excreta use in aquaculture
This volume provides guidelines for using wastewater and excreta in aquaculture while mitigating public health risks. It integrates microbial and chemical risk assessments with environmental and economic considerations, offering a harmonized approach to safe aquaculture practices. Target audiences include policymakers, environmental scientists, aquaculture managers, and public health officials. It emphasizes health-based targets, safe use protocols, and risk management strategies for sustainable aquaculture.
Recovered Materials & Products
Nutrients
Fertilizer
Water
Water reuse
Waste Streams
Faecal sludge
Wastewater
Urine
Confirmed countries
Germany
What is this tool intended for?
The tool guides aquaculture practitioners in safely utilizing wastewater and excreta. It aims to reduce health risks from pathogens and toxic chemicals while leveraging the nutritional benefits of organic waste to promote sustainable food production.
How does this tool work?
The guidelines employ a risk-based framework, the Stockholm Framework, to evaluate microbial and chemical hazards. It prescribes health protection measures, such as wastewater treatment, crop restriction, and vector control. Additional focus is on integrating local regulations and adapting international best practices for safe aquaculture.
Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?
- Policymakers: Develop and enforce national standards for wastewater use.
- Aquaculture Managers: Implement safe practices in fish and aquatic plant farming.
- Public Health Officials: Monitor compliance with health-based targets.
- Researchers and Engineers: Advance innovative waste treatment technologies for aquaculture.
What stages of a process can this tool support?
- Policy Development: Establishing regulatory frameworks for aquaculture.
- Implementation: Deploying wastewater reuse technologies and health protection measures.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessing compliance with health-based targets.
Where can this tool be used?
The guidelines are globally applicable but particularly beneficial in low- and middle-income countries where wastewater-fed aquaculture is a common practice.
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Technologies
Themes
Policy and regulation
Risk assessement