Clean water and waste management

Globally, over 80 % of wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused. In addition, around 40 % of the world’s population doesn’t have enough water to sustain its needs. Urbanization and climate change are likely to bring additional challenges.

SIS/ISO has standards for water management covering wastewater and sewerage networks, water reuse, efficient irrigation, water footprint monitoring, and services relating to drinking water supply systems. For example,

• ISO 46001 provides guidance on water efficiency management systems.
• ISO 14046 specifies principles, requirements and guidelines for water footprint.
• ISO 16075 provides recommendations regarding wastewater use for irrigation projects.
• ISO 24511 provides guidelines for the management of wastewater utilities and for the assessment of wastewater services while ISO 24512 does the same for drinking water utilities.

Most developing countries also lack appropriate treatment technologies and disposal systems for solid waste. Low collection coverage, unavailable transport services and a lack of suitable treatment and disposal facilities often leads to water, land and air pollution, which puts people and the environment at risk.

• ISO 14001 provides a framework and a structured approach to manage waste that includes classification of waste, storage, label, transport and disposal.
• ISO 15270 guides the recovery and recycling of plastic waste.

SIS implemented a ongoing project in Bolivia where it supported the national standardization organization, IBNORCA, to develop wastewater related standards and promote their use in wastewater treatment plants.

Read more about our recent and on-going projects here >>