NAWAMED project trains 30 professionals in wastewater management in Tunisia
Two days of technical training were organised by CERTE - Centre des Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux, in collaboration with IRIDRA (project partner) experts on 2 and 3 March to improve technical skills and keep up to date with the latest trends in Nature Based Solutions (NBS) for non-conventional water (NCW) technologies. It was the perfect opportunity to learn about the performances, added value, costs and impacts of NBS technologies.
The programme was designed to meet the needs of professionals in a variety of technical fields related to NBS. IRIDRA's expert trainers led the participants through hands-on exercises that helped them master the skills they needed to enhance their competence in NBS technologies for NCW valorisation.
The training programme included modules on Living Green Wall (LGW) design, implementation, performance, reuse and impacts. A working group session was planned on "Hands on training: Case Study Design", which provided participants with a practical learning experience and gave them the opportunity to design their LGW solutions adapted to the context.
Following an open call for participation launched on 22 February 2023, thirty applications were selected, mainly on the basis of technical skills. The participants formed a multidisciplinary team of which 67% were women, 27% were engineers, 18% were technical directors or sub-directors, 13% were researchers and 10% were architects. Three balanced groups were formed to work on real case studies. This hands-on training session was a real challenge between the multidisciplinary participants of the working groups, the trainers were knowledgeable and patient, and the hands-on exercises were challenging and rewarding, as most of the participants testified.
A very interesting course which covers a very relevant sector in view of the water scarcity in Tunisia and all over the world. Nature-based methods are the most suitable for treating grey water, especially in urban areas. It is important to take these solutions into account in urban planning
Mr. Anacleto Rizzo, and Fabio Masi trainers and experts from IRIDRA, followed up on the work of the groups.
The students were very reactive. We may have talked too much, but when they started making drawings and calculations and so on, it was clear that they understood the basic concept and wanted to practice with numbers and give the idea of being able to design NBS for grey water treatment. So I'm very happy to enjoy these days with you
The training also used the living green wall at the SWM house (Sustainable Water Management house) as a tool to discuss real implementation challenges and to exchange more about the different components, substrates, plants and processes.
