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Sludge treating facility. Ph:
Archives. |
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This project, the first of its kind in Morocco, was
prepared by Moroccan researchers belonging to Chouaib Doukkali
University, in cooperation with National Technical University
of Athens (NTUA) as well as other public institution and civil
society organisations.
The objective of MOROCOMP is to
develop and establish an innovative composting system for the
treatment of biodegradable organic waste (BOW), and sludge
generated by urban waste matter treatment plants and drinking
water refineries.
The treated sludge will be used to
improve soil on arable land, act as a substitute to chemical
fertilizers, and prevent soil degradation.
This
project also aims to copy European environmental policies,
enhance the protection of the environment and the population's
health, and protect arable lands against the degradation of
the quality of soil and underground waters to avoid any
contamination.
MOROCOMP is also designed to develop
instruments for competent authorities to be able to use the
appropriate schemas in the management of sludge and BOW,
besides acquiring a national autonomy in terms of technology.
It also targets the reduction of the use of chemical
manure, and the protection of water reserves which are
sensitive to eutrophication.
The project is also meant
to train the personnel that will be involved in the
development of the studied technology, the resolution of the
problems stocking sludge and BOW, and the promotion of
sustainable agricultural practices.
The budget
allocated to the project, which will be carried out in about
24 months (Feb. 2006 Feb. 2008), amounts to Euro 637,808 The
EU will pay Euro 438,228 and other partners will pay Euro
199,580.
LIFE-Third countries is part of the LIFE
programme . LIFE is EU's financial instrument supporting
environmental and nature conservation projects in the EU's
member states and some neighboring countries. Its objective of
the programme is to bolster the development and implementation
of EU's environmental policy.
Since 1992, LIFE-Third
Countries has co-financed some 2,500 projects, contributing
Euro 1,500 million to the protection of the
environment.
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