Resilient Communities
Around The World

Ninety-Five percent of the world’s olive trees are located in the Mediterranean region. As a result, many municipalities suffer from finding a solution to the wastewater (OWW) produced by olive oil production. The Marrakech-Safi region has additional environmental challenges within the artisanal sector, particularly in Tameslouht. Due to its arid climate, wood is scarce, which forces potters to burn tires to power their kilns. When considering alternative designs for Tameslouht’s pottery sector it is important to consciously merge traditional with modern practice and design. The EnergyXchange case study was the cornerstone of the thesis and the starting point for the development of Tameslouht’s own waste-powered kiln project utilizing methane gas that uses OWW as a substrate for production and solid was te for combustion.

In partnership with the Tassdert Youth Association, this project focuses on safeguarding a well in a small village in Souss Valley, Morocco, that has become a public danger to residents. The initiative involves rebuilding and replacing the well door with a new, secure one to ensure safety and prevent accidents. This project addresses urgent safety concerns and helps protect the community from potential hazards associated with the well. By enhancing the well’s security, we aim to improve overall safety and contribute to the well-being of the village's residents.

The 2018-2019 Environmental Engineering Capstone Project focused on designing a methane gas capping system for the wastewater treatment anaerobic ponds. The potential use of the methane can be for the new pottery kiln prototypes or for household use. A prototype small-batch reactor is in the process of being designed to verify the cubic meters of methane produced and determine the best gas scrubbing process.