Decentralised wastewater systems in an urban context in the developed world have the same investment and operating & maintenance costs as centralised systems. Water and nutrient recycling or reuse are more conducive with decentralised systems and they are therefore environmentally more sustainable. Public health outcome is comparable with centralised systems. Acceptance of decentralised systems requires wider dissemination of their sustainability advantages, a change in government policy and regulatory framework for their implementation and management. Capacity building within the industry and for developers, builders and their consultants is essential. The sustainability of decentralised systems should be placed within the context of sustainable urban water management of water supply, wastewater treatment and stormwater run-off, and of city planning, making cities more sustainable in other sectors as well (energy, transport, food, building, biodiversity, waste).
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