2nd Prize – STP Aquaffluent

Aquaponics systems are a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, with water being the connector. In this work, the main idea is that instead of using clean water in aquaponics systems, we applied effluent produced by a sewage treatment plant as the recirculating medium in our media bed aquaponics system. We have shown that not only does this innovation works, it also produces food in the form of edible fishes and fruits at a profitable rate based on the market rate at the time of calculation. Furthermore, the food produced complies with the Fourteenth Schedule (Regulation 38) of the Food Regulation 1985, Malaysian Food Act 1983 on maximum permitted proportion of heavy metal contaminant in specific food. This innovation realizes at least two SDGs simultaneously. It helps to achieve SDG 2 Zero Hunger through food security and sustainable agriculture. Besides that, continuous sewage effluent should be readily available as sewage treatment plants are abundant in urban areas. Production of food right in city centres will greatly reduce the carbon footprint from transporting food over large distances, removing the reliance of cities on food imports and making them self-sustaining. All these helps to meet SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.