The paper presents a regional project designed to facilitate accelerated expansion of robust, and cost effective decentralized wastewater management and recycling services to the unsewerd communities in the East Mediterranean Region (EMR). The project will bring together a network of partners from Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, UK, Netherlands, Cyprus, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria facilitated by WHO Regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities (CEHA). The project idea emerged from the "Technical Expert consultation on Appropriate and Innovative Wastewater Management in Small Communities in EMR Countries" convened by WHO/CEHA in November 2000 with participation of water and wastewater management experts from EMR, Europe, Latin America, and some Arab and international organizations.

With increasing demand on the already stressed water resources in the EMR, the need for rational utilization of these resources and protecting their quality is becoming more urgent than ever. The provision of appropriate wastewater management and recycling services to as many communities as possible is central to satisfy this need, enhance public health protection and the environment at large. The present wastewater management practices in EMR, of relying mainly on centralized systems comprising a sewer network and central treatment works, are most likely to decelerate the extension of the service due to the high costs entailed. Even in most advanced countries, it is increasingly realized that achieving 100% sewerage is impossible. Additionally, the centralized concept has some serious drawbacks in that the "scarce" freshwater is utilized to transport waste and huge concentrated environmental risks are presented when centralized treatment works fail or become overloaded as commonly experienced.

The ultimate objective of the project is the protection of public health, the environment and augmentation of water resources through facilitating and accelerating the expansion of cost-effective, efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater management services to unsewered communities in countries of the EMR. Specifically, the project aims at the introduction and promotion of the decentralized concept of wastewater management through the provision of viable, cost-effective, appropriate and efficient solutions of flow modification and reduction, greywater reuse for non-potable purposes, improved on-site wastewater management for pollution control and recycling, and modular integrated community wastewater systems utilizing settled sewers.

The methodology for achieving these objectives includes assessment of existing wastewater management practices, systems demonstration, education and training and networking and information exchange. It is perceived that several cases of wastewater management systems will be broadly analyzed for appropriateness from the various aspects. Demonstration schemes will be built and researched as advocacy and educational models. Design and operation manuals on decentralized wastewater management alternatives will be developed. Educational and research programs on decentralized wastewater management systems will be established in three universities in EMR. Training sessions will be conducted. Research results and policy recommendations will be disseminated through workshops, printed media and the web.

The proposed duration for the project is three years.