Introduction of UASB technology for decentralised wastewater treatment in Morocco Note: This project has been cancelled, because RVO has no confidence that it will be successfully completed in the short term.Water and clean water in particular, is scarce in Morocco. The lack of sufficient water resources is endangering the country's economic growth, as 2 of the main economic pillars, agriculture and tourism, are largely dependent on the availability of sufficient water of good quality. Traditional wastewater treatment technologies are expensive because of the high investment costs, high operational costs (electricity costs in particular) and high maintenance costs. The application of UASB technology will lead to a considerable reduction of these investments and to substantially lower operational costs. The traditional treatment plants deliver drinking water quality. The UASB plant will deliver irrigation water quality. So UASB is proposed at a comparably very low cost to deliver just a little less clean water.At this moment only a small number of wastewater treatment facilities is operational in Morocco. It is therefore expected that when taking into account the costs and sustainability of the UASB technology, the project will have a positive economic impact and that follow-up sales of similar systems in Morocco will be generated after launching of the pilot plant in Kasba Tadla. The pilot project will not only be a show case for Kasba Tadla, but also for other municipalities with similar problems in Morocco and other countries in the North-Africa and the Mediterranean.The applicant Colson B.V. is active in design and building of this kind of installations since 1989 in the Netherlands but also abroad (Cyprus, Egypt). The local partner Mabsout Sarl is a contractor active in building infrastructure for new urban and industrial areas. Part of his job is to build the sewage systems. The Partners believe strongly that there is a large market in Morocco for this technology especially with the actual back up by the Moroccan government. They will join forces in a joint venture.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)An extensive CSR package is provided for by the Partners: subjects treated are: labour standards, personnel policy, employee participation, health and safety employees, environment and food safety, chain responsibility, corruption, human rights and corporate social involvement.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsDuring the pilot phase, 30 people will be employed (16 basic-level and 14 high- or medium-level). Two years after completion of the project this will be a total of 72 employees (39 basic-level and 33 high-level).Full-time employees in the joint venture will receive a salary package that is consistent with the prevailing salary levels in Morocco. Starting point for the joint venture is that employees will receive a wage that reflects their educational background and skills, experience, responsibilities, and that it will motivate them to grow within the company. Also, the coverage of expenses, healthcare, insurance premiums, social funds, etc is considered as part of the salary package. In particular because it is expected that part of the personnel may have to be recruited outside Kasba Tadla and therefore additional travel and lodging expenses may be considered. Depending on the position it is expected that the range of salaries will be between 4,000 and 7,000 Dirham (440 euro respectively 775 euro), that is for medium- and high-level personnel. Minimum wage in Morocco: Dirham 2,009.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeMost of the knowledge to build, operate and maintain a UASB reactor is new to Morocco and all this knowledge has to be transferred.•	Chain effectsEspecially the Agricultural and Tourist Industry will benefit from the introduction of this technology and thus by this project. National healthcare will also benefit. At the moment 40% of the drinking water of the city of Casablanca comes from the river in which Kasba Tadla discharges its waste.•	EnvironmentThe development of Morocco's economy is largely depending on the availability of sufficient water. The two sectors that form the main engine of the Moroccan economy are agriculture and tourism. Both sectors that have a large demand for water. While supply is limited, demands are increasing, and pollution is threatening surface and groundwater resources.•	Position of womenIt is expected that 15% of the workforce will be women. Building a pilot sewage treatment plant based on UASB (Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) technology in Kasba Tadla as a demonstration object for the partners to market the technology.