Council to produce methane gas from human waste

THE Bulawayo City Council's newly rehabilitated sewage treatment plants are set to produce methane gas from human waste,

which would provide electricity for the plants and other council operations.The project is part of the local authority's go-green campaign that will see by-products from the treatment of human and industrial waste being recycled and exploited commercially.

In an interview on the sidelines of a tour of the refurbished Thorngrove and Aisleby Number 3 plants on Tuesday, Bulawayo's director of engineering services Engineer Simela Dube said studies showed that it was possible to harness methane produced by the decomposition of human waste in the plants to produce electricity.

He said the electricity would be enough to power the plants, which were being adversely affected by Zesa power cuts.

"We have sent out invitations for an expression of interest from organisations that would like to partner council on the project. Traditionally waste was just treated to get rid of the smell and toxins before it could be released into the environment.

"The beneficial by product - methane gas - was left to escape into the atmosphere," said Eng Dube.

Although Eng Dube could not provide the exact volume of methane that was likely to be produced, he said it would be enough to power the plants and a number of council operations.

Delivering a speech at the commissioning of the plants, the Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said council was looking into ways of protecting the environment through utilising recycled waste from the plants.

"Various strategies are being explored to ensure environmental sustainability. These include the production of by-products from the sewage process such as treated sludge, which can be used as farm fertiliser. Reclaimed water can be used to green the city's gardens, lawns, parks and farms," said Clr Moyo.