São Vicente is one of the driest islands in Cape Verde. Limited freshwater resources make treated wastewater an important source of water for agriculture. The Ribeira da Vinha wastewater treatment plant is the oldest operational plant in the country and has already been expanded and modernized several times. In light of rising water demand and wastewater volumes, the need for infrastructure modernization, and compliance with national regulations and development goals ¬– with a particular focus on improving water and wastewater infrastructure – the question arises as to whether the plant should be modernized or rebuilt.
Research Approach
The feasibility study examines the technical, operational, and organizational conditions for the further development of the Ribeira da Vinha wastewater treatment plant. To this end, existing technical studies, inventory data, and legal requirements are evaluated and combined with insights from expert interviews and on-site technical inspections. The study brings together the perspectives of relevant stakeholders from the wastewater sector, agriculture, and other water-related sectors, as well as local and national ministries and authorities. In addition, existing structures for water reuse in agricultural irrigation are examined.
Background
On São Vicente, low precipitation and high evaporation limit the availability of freshwater. At the same time, the existing groundwater is, in some cases, highly saline and therefore of limited usability. This increases the need for alternative water resources for non-potable uses – particularly for irrigation. Already today, all reclaimed water is used for agricultural irrigation. More than 200 farmers are connected to the distribution system of the Ribeira da Vinha wastewater treatment plant and use it to irrigate approximately 50 hectares of farmland.
The existing wastewater treatment plant began operations in the mid-1980s, was expanded in 2007, and was most recently modernized in 2020–2021. This leaves São Vicente facing the question of how the plant can be further developed in the long term. Water reuse places special demands on the quality and reliability of the reclaimed water.
Research and Project Partners
- Emscher Wassertechnik GmbH (Lead)
- Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Practice Partner
- Agência Nacional de Água e Saneamento (ANAS) – Cape Verde’s National Water and Sanitation Authority
Funding/Client
The project “Feasibility Study: Study on Improved Wastewater Treatment at the Ribeira da Vinha Wastewater Treatment Plant on São Vicente, Taking into Account Water Reuse for Irrigation Purposes” is commissioned by the German-Portuguese Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Portugal) and funded as part of the Environmental Protection Export Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
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