Disposal of waste from land

GPA on sewage

1. Why the Marine Environment Needs Protection From Sewage

Recognizing variation in local conditions, domestic waste water improperly discharged to freshwater and coastal environments may present a variety of concerns. These are associated with:

pathogens that may result in human health problems through exposure via bathing waters or through contaminated shellfish;
suspended solids;
significant nutrient inputs;
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD);
cultural issues, such as taboos, in some areas;
plastics and other marine debris;
ecosystem population effects; and
heavy metals and other toxic substances, e.g. hydrocarbons, in those cases where industrial sources may have discharged effluent to municipal collection systems.

Environmental effects associated with domestic waste-water discharges are generally local with transboundary implications in certain geographic areas. The commonality of sewage-related problems throughout coastal areas of the world is significant. Consequently, domestic waste-water discharges are considered one of the most significant threats to coastal environments worldwide.

The priority for action on "sewage" was identified by:

The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (Washington, 1995);

Seven regional workshops of Government-designated experts held in the period 1996 - 1998 in the framework of UNEP's Regional Seas Programme and involving more than 60, mostly developing, countries;

UNEP Governing Council (decision 20/19B.1.d) which requested the Executive Director, in cooperation with other relevant organizations, to explore the possibility to convene a global conference to address sewage as a major land-based source of pollution affecting human and ecosystem health.

As a response to these identified priorities, the GPA Coordination Office, in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Habitat (UNCHS) and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), developed a Strategic Action Plan on Municipal Wastewater. This Action Plan represents a concerted action by these four agencies to support the efforts of States to address the serious public health problems and the degradation of coastal ecosystems that results from the disposal of inadequately treated municipal wastewater in coastal areas. Important supporting documents and initiatives include the Recommendations for Decision-Making and associated Knowledge Base, the holding of regional meetings - including partnership meetings, and global consultations.

View the Strategic Action Plan on Municipal Wastewater (UNEP/GPA, November 2000).

The Strategic Action Plan builds upon and enhances the relevant sections on sewage of the GPA (especially Paragraph 97).

2. Recommendations for Decision-Making on Municipal Wastewater

The Recommendations for Decision-Making on Municipal Wastewater is a guide on appropriate and environmentally sound wastewater management systems, including treatment, intended for local and national decision-makers and professionals. It contains key principles and annotated checklists of recommended practices and procedures. The report also details ranges of approaches, infrastructures and tools available to practitioners and policy makers.

View the Recommendations for Decision-Making on Municipal Wastewater (UNEP/GPA, November 2000).