Faecal Sludge Management

It is estimated that literally billions of residents in urban and peri-urban areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America are served by onsite sanitation systems (e.g. various types of latrines and septic tanks). Until recently, the management of faecal sludge from these onsite systems has been grossly neglected, partially as a result of them being considered temporary solutions until sewer-based systems could be implemented. However, the perception of onsite or decentralized sanitation technologies for urban areas is gradually changing, and is increasingly being considered as long-term, sustainable options in urban areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries that lack sewer infrastructures. This is the first book dedicated to faecal sludge management. It compiles the current state of knowledge of the rapidly evolving field of faecal sludge management, and presents an integrated approach that includes technology, management, and planning based on Sandecs 20 years of experience in the field.

Faecal Sludge Management addresses the organization of the entire faecal sludge management service chain, from the collection and transport of sludge, and the current state of knowledge of treatment options, to the final end use or disposal of treated sludge. The book also presents important factors to consider when evaluating and upscaling new treatment technology options.

The book is designed for undergraduate and graduate students, and engineers and practitioners in the field who have some basic knowledge of environmental and/or wastewater engineering.

Also available as part of your Water Inteligence Online subscription.

This title is also available in Spanish

The Global Situation; Faecal Sludge Quantification, Characterisation and Treatment Objectives; Treatment Mechanisms; Methods and Means for Collection and Transport of Faecal Sludge; Overview of Treatment Technologies; Settling-Thickening Tanks; Unplanted Drying Beds; Planted Drying Beds; Co-treatment of Faecal Sludge in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants; Enduse of Treatment Products; Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring of Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant; Institutional Frameworks for Faecal Sludge Management; Financial Transfers and Responsibility in Faecal Sludge Management Chains; Assessment of the Initial Situation; Stakeholder Analysis; Stakeholder Engagement; Planning Integrated Faecal Sludge Management Systems; The Way Forward.

• Linda Strande, Eawag, Switzerland
• Mariska Ronteltap, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education,  Delft, The Netherlands
• Damir Brdjanovic, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education,  Delft, The Netherlands