Department Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development

Faecal Sludge Management: Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation

This book compiles the current state of knowledge of the rapidly evolving FSM sector, and presents an integrated approach that includes technology, management and planning. Available as a free download in English, Spanish, and French. You can access the book by clicking <<here>>.

Faecal Sludge Management: Highlights and Exercises

This book is an update of the technical aspects of the book: ‘Faecal Sludge Management: Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation’. Available as a free download in English, you can access it by clicking here.

Methods for Faecal Sludge Analysis

This book provides a basis for standardized methods for the analysis of faecal sludge and the role it plays in Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). You can access the book by clicking here.

General FSM

Faecal Sludge Treatment Technologies

Resource Recovery from Treatment

Coming soon!

  • Optimal operating conditions for faecal sludge pyrolysis.
    Gold, M., Bleuler, M., Cunningham, M., Arnheiter, R., Schönborn, A., Niwagaba, C., Strande, L.
  • To char or not to char? Review of technologies to produce solid fuels for resource recovery from faecal sludge.
    Andriessen, N., Ward, B.J., Strande, L.

Market Driven Approach to Treatment Products

Faecal sludge Quantities and Qualities (Q&Q)

Coming soon!

  • Quantities and Qualities (Q&Q) of Faecal Sludge for Planning and Management.
    Strande, L., Englund, M., Carbajal, J.P.
    In preparation as a chapter of "Methods for Faecal Sludge Analyses" (IWA publication)
    Velkushanova, K., Strande, L., Ronteltap, M., Koottatep, T., Brdjanovic. D., Buckley, C. (book editors)
  • Modeling of faecal sludge quantities and qualities for resource efficient and accurate design of management and treatment solutions.
    Englund, M., Carbajal, J.P., Bassan, M., Ferré, A., Vu, T.H.A., Nguyen, V.A., Strande, L.

Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge: experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic

Reasonable estimates for quantities and qualities (Q&Q) of fecal sludge that accumulate in onsite sanitation containments are fundamental for the design of appropriate management and treatment solutions, from community to city-scale. There are increasing attempts to improve Q&Q estimates, but current approaches are still at a conceptual level, and are not yet standardized with confirmed statistical relationships. To reach this level, we will need consistent approaches for planning, measuring, and global collaborations. Hence, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess and compare Q&Q of fecal sludge from seven cities and communities, and explore statistical relationships that could be used to increase accuracy of Q&Q estimations; (2) to test and launch the Volaser device for measuring in situ volumes of fecal sludge; and (3) to capture lessons learned from field implementation with collaborators in seven countries during a global pandemic when no international travel was possible. The study took place in Ghana, India, Lebanon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q&Qs were measured in 204 containments with a Volaser, laboratory analysis, and questionnaire. Results indicate that there are differences in Total Solids (TS) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in fecal sludge based on containment type, toilet type, source, and whether there is a water connection on the premises. Based on the results of this study, together with previously published open-source data, an empirical relationship for Volatile Solids (VS) and TS of 0.49 (R2 = 0.88) was established using 1,206 data points. For COD/TS, no significant relationship was observed. Developing such empirical relationships will be useful for planning and modeling approaches. An external evaluation was conducted to evaluate overall project management, Volaser technology transfer, and effects of collaborating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Success factors for collaborating with new and existing partners without face-to-face meetings included laboratory capacity and experience with analytical methods, study objectives that were relevant for the partner and locality, and a strong quality assurance plan to ensure comparability of results. The lessons learned can be taken forward as ways to reduce carbon footprint, and contribute to resilient, inclusive development research projects.
Andriessen, N.; Appiah-Effah, E.; Browne, S. J. I.; al Jahjah, R.; Kabika, J.; Kinobe, J. R.; Korir, N.; Nishimwe, P.; Niwagaba, C. B.; Pradeep, R.; Prasad, P.; Tembo, J. M.; William, A.; Ambuehl, B.; Strande, L. (2023) Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge: experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic, Frontiers in Water, 5, 1130081 (14 pp.), doi:10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081, Institutional Repository

Laboratory methods

Sustainable Implementation/Capacity development

Education Material

Faecal Sludge Management Workshop

FSM Highlights and Exercises

SFD (Shit Flow Diagram) for seven cities in Africa and Asia

Eawag/Sandec FSM Publications PRE-2010

Journals and Conference papers

Design considerations and constraints in applying on-farm wastewater treatment for urban agriculture. 4th SWITCH Scientific Meeting. IWMI, Eawag-Sandec.
P. Reymond, O. Cofie, D. Koné (2009). Keywords: Wastewater treatment, Urban agriculture, Participatory action research, Water quality, Ghana

Influence of sand layer depth and percolate impounding regime on nitrogen transformation in vertical-flow constructed wetlands treating faecal sludge
A. Panuvatvanich, T. Koottatep, D. Kone (2009) . Keywords: Denitrification, Faecal sludge treatment, Impounding regime, Nitrification, Vertical-flow constructed wetlands

Hydraulic behaviour of vertical-flow constructed wetland under different operating conditions. A. Panuvatvanich, T. Koottatep, D. Kone (2009). Keywords: Constructed wetland, Drainage pattern, Feeding pattern, Hydraulic behaviour, Tracer study

Improving Environmental Sanitation, Health, and Well-Being: A Conceptual Framework for Integral Interventions. H. Nguyen-Viet, J. Zinsstag, R. Schertenleib, C. Zurbrügg, B. Obrist (2009). Keywords: Integrated approach, Health, Environmental sanitation, MFA, QMRA, Social sciences

Co-composting of faecal sludge and organic solid waste for agriculture: Process dynamics. O. Cofie, D. Kone, S. Rothenberger, D. Moser (2009). Keywords: Excreta, Feacal sludge, Solid waste, Co-composting, Compost quality, Nutrients

Recovery of Biosolids from Constructed Wetlands Used for Faecal Sludge Dewatering in Tropical Regions. I.M. Kengne, A. Akoa, D. Kone (2009). Keywords: Faecal sludge, Dewatering, Biosolids, Recovery, Constructed wetlands

Vertical-flow constructed wetlands as sustainable sanitation approach for faecal sludge dewatering in developing countries. I.M. Kengne, P.H. Dodane, A. Akoa, D. Kone (2009). Keywords: Echinochloa pyramidalis, Biosolids, Developing countries, Faecal sludge, Sustainable approach, Vertical-flow constructed wetlands

An approach to optimise nutrient management in environmental sanitation systems despite limited data. A. Montangero, H. Belevi (2008). Keywords: Environmental sanitation, Developing countries, Material flow analysis, Nutrient recovery, Phosphorus, Data scarcity, Data uncertainty, Plausibility assessment

Effects of faecal sludge application on growth characteristics and chemical composition of Echinochloa pyramidalis (Lam.) Hitch. and Chase and Cyperus papyrus L. I.M. Kengne, A. Akoa, E.K. Soh, V. Tsama, M.M. Ngoutane, P.H. Dodane, D. Kone (2008). Keywords: Antelope grass, Constructed wetlands, Cyperus papyrus, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Faecal sludge, Growth characteristics, Nutrient contents, Planted drying beds, Sludge dewatering beds, Vertical-flow constructed wetlands

Optimising water and phosphorus management in the urban environmental sanitation system of Hanoi, Vietnam. A. Montangero, L.N. Cau, N.V. Anh, V.D. Tuan (2007). Keywords: Environmental sanitation, Material flow analysis, Phosphorus, Nutrient recovery, Hanoi, Developing countries

Assessing nutrient flows in septic tanks by eliciting expert judgement: A promising method in the context of developing countries. A. Montangero, H. Belevi (2007). Keywords: On-site sanitation systems, Nutrient, Material flow analysis, Developing countries, Data scarcity, Expert knowledge

Helminth eggs inactivation efficiency by faecal sludge dewatering and co-composting in tropical climates. D. Kone, O. Cofie, C. Zurbrügg, K. Gallizzi, D. Moser, S. Drescher, M. Strauss (2007). Keywords: Ascaris, Co-composting, Drying beds, Faecal sludge, Helminth eggs, Trichuris

Investigating helminth eggs and Salmonella sp. in stabilization ponds treating septage. G. Sanguinetti, C. Tortul, M.C. Garcìa, A. Montangero, M. Strauss (2004). Keywords: Ascaris, Biosolids, Helminth eggs inactivation, Primary ponds, Salmonella, Septage

The challenge of faecal sludge management in urban areas – strategies, regulations and treatment options. A.M. Ingallinella, G. Sanguinetti, T. Koottatep, A. Montagnero, M. Strauss (2001). Keywords: Faecal sludge, Hygienic quality, Septage, Sludge, Standards, Treatment

Cotreatment of sewage and septage in waste stabilization ponds. A.M. Ingallinella, G. Sanguinetti, R.G. Fernandez, M. Strauss, A. Montangero (2000). Keywords: Effluent quality, Septage, Sewage, Sludge, Waste stabilization ponds, Vacuum trucks

Solids separation and pond systems for the treatment of fecal sludges in the tropics - lessons learnt and recommendations for preliminary design. SANDEC Report No. 5/98. U. Heinss, S.A. Larmie, M. Strauss (1998).

Treatment of sludges from on-site sanitation - Low cost options. M. Strauss, S.A. Larmie, U. Heinss  (1997).

Project Reports, Guidelines, Manuals and Articles

EWM articles in the Sandec News

Urine Treatment

Videos

Video Recording of 3rd international Faecal Sludge Management Conference 2015 (FSM3) in Hanoi, Vietnam (Kopie 1)