Comparison of Carbon Emissions from Traditional Treatment and Source Separation Treatment of Rural Domestic Sewage

Based on the carbon emission accounting method for domestic sewage，combined with the current situation of rural domestic sewage treatment，the carbon emissions of traditional schemes and source separation schemes under the three scenarios of single household，multi-household，and pipeline treatments were calculated. The results showed that the net carbon emissions（calculated as CO2）of the single household，multi-household，and pipeline treatment traditional schemes were 1.21，3.37，and 2.69 kg·m-3，respectively. The net carbon emissions（calculated as CO2）of the single household，multi-household，and pipeline treatments in source separation schemes were -0.50，-0.04，and -0.54 kg·m-3，respectively，achieving zero or even negative carbon emissions. The direct and indirect carbon emissions of the source separation scheme were lower than those of the traditional scheme under all three scenarios. The carbon compensation measures in the source separation scheme mainly came from the land use of urine after storage and treatment. By separating blackwater from graywater at the source，the Source Separation Program achieved resource utilization of highly concentrated pollutants in blackwater，reducing emissions while generating significant carbon offsets. Therefore，efforts should be made to promote the separation and treatment of rural domestic sewage sources，improve the utilization rate of rural domestic sewage resources，and achieve green and low-carbon development of rural domestic sewage treatment. © 2024 Science Press. All rights reserved.