THESIS INTRODUCING EFFICIENT WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND RE-USE TECHNIQUES IN NORTH CYPRUS by LUTFIYE GUNES 4055778 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Bernburg, Germany 2014 1stAdvisor: Alexander Kader 2ndAdvisor: Johannes Cox INTRODUCING EFFICIENT WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND RE-USE TECHNIQUES IN NORTH CYPRUS Master Arbeit vorgelegt im Wintersemester 2013-2014 Master Thesis submitted during winter semester 2013-2014 An der Hochschule Anhalt At the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Abteilung Landwirtschaft, Ökotrophologie und Landschaftsbau Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscaping Studiengang Landschaftsarchitektur Study course Landscape Architecture Verfasserin: Author: Lütfiye Günes Bachelor of Architecture (BSc) Gutachter: Examiners: Erstgutachter: Prof.Dr.Alexander Kader 1st Examiner Zweitgutachter: Dipl.Ing- Johannes Cox 2nd Examiner February 2014 2 “A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold to a thirsty man.” Anonymous “Do not waste water even if you were at a running stream.” Hz. Mohammed To my beloved unbeknown country… 3 i. Abstract Due to its geographical location Cyprus has semi-arid climate. This fact makes water more vital and vulnerable. For all of its time Cyprus has had a lack of and low quality water, if we count the yearly average rainfall ~ 500 mm. Rainwater coming from the Trodos mountains on the South side (largest mountain range of Cyprus-peak 1,952 meters), with the Besparmak mountain and Girne mountains on the North side, is collected in big tanks and distributed to the public. However for many years water has been supplemented to NC from Turkey with tanks and balloons. In summer time people still have water shortages. “Water became more vital during last 20 years in all parts of the world. It is estimated that two billion people in the world live in areas with extended water shortages” (Duraiappah, 1998). In addition to water scarcity, water pollution is a problem that has affected every continent of the world (Sampat, 2000). Another enormous problem in Cyprus is the negative effects of developing tourism close to the sea. There are ~ 220 accommodation complexes in TRNC and this number is increasing every year. According to official numbers, TRNC had tripled its tourist capacity in 10 years. Apart from its positive effect on the economy, unfortunately there are negative effects too. Due to lack of efficient technology, many hotels (especially located near the sea) have been, and if we don’t prevent it; will still discharge their waste water directly into the sea without and/or lack of any treatment or refinement. This stands as a big problem for the endangered marine habitat (for example “caretta caretta”, “Cheloina mydas” to name two). It is not only harming the habitat but also affects tourism in a negative way due to its dirty and blurry view of the sea. A number of samples taken from the sea near the “Rocks Hotel & Casino” have been analyzed by a private laboratory and the results determined that the e-coli bacteria in the water are much more than it should be. Besides tourism another big contributor to the income of the island is agriculture. Because of the water shortages many projects involving agriculture are cancelled or put on hold. People take water by opening a well in their gardens or in their crop fields. This is totally illegal and harms the underground water resources by creating holes in the ground and allowing infiltration of the sea water in the potable water resources. So the question is; “in a country where water is a major issue, why waste water and also harm the environment instead of re-using the waste water for agriculture, landscape irrigation and other needs?” 4 ii. Table of Content i.Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 4 ii.Table of Content ...................................................................................................................... 5 iii.Key Words ............................................................................................................................. 7 iv.Aim of Paper .......................................................................................................................... 8 v.Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 8 vi.Resources ............................................................................................................................... 9 vii.Difficulties ............................................................................................................................ 9 1.PART I ................................................................................................................................. 10 1.1.Introduction .................................................................................................................. 10 1.2.Overview about Cyprus ................................................................................................ 13 1.2.1. Location ................................................................................................................ 14 1.2.2. History .................................................................................................................. 15 1.2.3. Vegetation ............................................................................................................ 17 1.2.4. Topography .......................................................................................................... 19 1.2.5. Marine Habitat-Endangered Species .................................................................... 20 1.2.6. Climate ................................................................................................................. 24 1.3.Water Resources in North Cyprus .................................................................................. 26 1.3.1. Cyprus Water Supply Project from Turkey.......................................................... 32 1.4.Agriculture ..................................................................................................................... 33 1.5.Tourism .......................................................................................................................... 34 1.5.1. Impacts of Tourism on Economy ......................................................................... 36 A.Summary of Part I ................................................................................................................ 37 2.PART II ................................................................................................................................ 37 2.1.Information about Waste Water ..................................................................................... 37 2.2.Techniques of Treating Water ........................................................................................ 38 2.2.1.List of Waste Water Treatment Technologies ...................................................... 38 2.3.Levels of treating water- Primary (Physical) Treatment ................................................ 39 2.3.1.Secondary (Biological) Treatment ........................................................................ 40 5 2.3.2.Tertiary (Chemical) Treatment ............................................................................. 41 2.4.Centralized vs. Decentralized ......................................................................................... 42 2.5.Cost of Treating Waste water ......................................................................................... 45 B.Summary of Part II ............................................................................................................... 46 3.PART III .............................................................................................................................. 47 3.1.Possible Waste Water Treatment Systems for North Cyprus ........................................ 47 3.1.1. Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSP) ........................................................................ 47 3.1.2. Constructed Wetlands (CW) ................................................................................ 49 3.1.2.1.Surface Flow Design (FWS) .................................................................................... 54 3.1.2.2.Sub Surface Flow Design (SFCWs-RBTs) .............................................................. 55 3.1.2.3.Waste Water Garden (WWG) .................................................................................. 59 3.1.3. Membrane Bioreactor ........................................................................................... 60 C.Summary of Part III .............................................................................................................. 66 4.PART IV ............................................................................................................................... 67 4.1.WWT and Governmental Structure of Water in Cyprus ................................................ 67 4.2.Case Study: Romanos Hotel, Greece ............................................................................. 71 4.3.Case Study: Los Cabos Hotel & Resort - Baja California, Mexico ............................... 72 D.Summary of Part IV ............................................................................................................