(MOMBASA, KENYA) – Scientists at the Technical University of Mombasa are leading an international research project to develop a nature based wastewater treatment technology. The project could help protect Mombasa’s marine ecosystems, improve coastal water quality and strengthen climate resilience. The initiative is called SWATIA, short for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Using Algal Bacterial Consortia for Enhanced Resilience to Climate Change in Africa. It brings together researchers from TUM, the University of Tsukuba in Japan and Durban University of Technology in South Africa.
The project comes amid growing concern over wastewater pollution in Mombasa. Rapid urbanisation continues to outpace aging sanitation infrastructure. Households and properties in the county generate an estimated 337 million litres of wastewater every day. About 95% of the city’s liquid waste remains unaccounted for and finds its way directly or indirectly into the ocean. The pollution threatens marine ecosystems, public health and the sustainability of the blue economy.
Technical lead Dr. Mariam Swaleh, a TUM scientist, said the research focuses on harnessing the natural ability of microalgae and beneficial bacteria to remove pollutants from wastewater while capturing carbon dioxide. She said the goal is to show that nature itself can help solve one of the biggest environmental challenges facing coastal cities. The team is developing an affordable and environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment technology that uses natural biological processes to clean wastewater while also addressing climate change.
Unlike conventional wastewater treatment systems that rely on energy intensive mechanical processes, algal bacterial consortia use natural biological interactions to remove nutrients, organic matter and other contaminants. They also produce oxygen that enhances purification. Dr. Mariam said as the microalgae grow they absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This helps remove carbon from the atmosphere while cleaning wastewater. The resulting biomass can be converted into valuable products such as biofertilisers and bioenergy. This creates a circular economy where waste becomes a resource.
Environmental experts have long warned that poor wastewater treatment poses a major threat to public health and marine ecosystems. Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds support fisheries, tourism and other sectors of the blue economy. Cleaner wastewater could improve fish breeding grounds, protect tourism beaches and reduce health risks for coastal communities that depend on the ocean. This highlights the importance of sustainable wastewater management solutions.
Climate change is increasing the frequency of flooding and extreme weather events. This makes the need for resilient and cost effective wastewater treatment systems more urgent for coastal cities. Dr. Mariam said the SWATIA Project shows how a single innovation can address both environmental pollution and climate change. By combining wastewater treatment with carbon capture, the project shows that climate action and environmental protection can be achieved together through nature based solutions.
As part of the initiative, TUM is establishing a pilot wastewater treatment facility. It will serve as a living laboratory for research, innovation and training. The facility will enable researchers to test the technology under local conditions. It will also equip students, water professionals and industry stakeholders with practical skills in sustainable wastewater management.
Dr. Mariam said the pilot will also serve as a demonstration site for policymakers, county governments, water service providers and industries. If successful, the model can be copied across Kenya and other coastal regions facing similar challenges. The SWATIA Project is also strengthening international collaboration through knowledge exchange, postgraduate training and joint research involving institutions from Kenya, Japan and South Africa.
For Mombasa County, the potential benefits are significant. They include cleaner coastal waters, improved public health and stronger protection of marine ecosystems that support thousands of livelihoods. If successful, the technology could change how coastal cities across Africa manage wastewater. It could turn one of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges into an opportunity for climate action, innovation and sustainable development.