Research on rural domestic sewage treatment in the context of rural resident decline*: A survey in Qufu, Shandong Province

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyses the impact of large rural population outflows on rural domestic sewage treatment and proposes countermeasures to improve the efficiency of rural domestic sewage treatment against the background of rural resident decline, with the goal of providing decision-making references for the treatment of rural domestic sewage in the future. Methods: Through an in-depth investigation of Qufu, Shandong Province—a national demonstration county for rural domestic sewage treatment—and literature reviews, group discussions, interviews, and questionnaire surveys, the adverse effects of rural population decline on rural domestic sewage treatment are summarized. Result: (1) The decline of rural residents has reduced the discharge of rural domestic sewage, and as a consequence, the design capacity of sewage treatment facilities far exceeds the actual sewage discharge. (2) In rural areas, the outflow of young people has weakened the economic vitality of rural areas, thereby increasing the financial pressure on sewage treatment in villages. (3) Rural resident decline has weakened environmental awareness, leading to a further decrease in social participation in rural domestic sewage treatment. (4) Rural resident decline has severely affected the construction and maintenance of rural sewage treatment infrastructure. Conclusion: As evidenced by the successful experiences of other regions in China, high-efficiency, low-energy and low-cost decentralized wastewater resource utilization treatment technology is an effective countermeasure for addressing the problem of rural domestic wastewater pollution in the context of rural resident decline. The relevant problems must be identified and addressed, an intelligent operation and maintenance supervision platform must be built, a long-term and stable financial security system should be established, and villagers’ sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for participation must be increased to ensure the smooth progress and effectiveness of rural domestic sewage treatment in the context of rural resident decline. Significance: Studying the complex impact of rural resident decline on the treatment of rural domestic sewage, considering the factors of rural resident decline in the formulation of rural domestic sewage treatment plans, and promoting the formation of systematic effects between population changes and treatment technologies and models to improve rural domestic sewage treatment efficiency are highly practical.

Keywords

• Rural population decline
• Rural areas
• Domestic sewage treatment
• Qufu