Perspectives are different frameworks from which to explore the knowledge around sustainable sanitation and water management. Perspectives are like filters: they compile and structure the information that relate to a given focus theme, region or context. This allows you to quickly navigate to the content of your particular interest while promoting the holistic understanding of sustainable sanitation and water management.
This document reviews current practices of faecal sludge management and treatment.
MONTANGERO, A. STRAUSS, M. (2004): Faecal Sludge Treatment. Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
This report outlines the findings of a study carried out in and around the city of Nairobi, Kenya by ENVILEAD. The study was carried out between the months of January and March 2005, about the patterns of practice that are likely to release persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment as part of the International POPs Elimination Project (IPEP’s) initiatives. The focus of the study was the practice of medical and municipal waste burning, which research has shown to be a potential source of unintentional POPs (UPOPs). The study’s objective was to investigate the anatomy of this practice, identify the key issues involved and make recommendations for the way forward.
ENVILEAD (2005): A Study on Waste Incineration Activities in Nairobi that Release Dioxin and Furan into the Environment. Nairobi: Environmental Liaison, Education and Action for Development (ENVILEAD) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Today, there are already a variety of very different approaches to the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater, sludge and ashes. These approaches differ by the origin of the used matter (wastewater, sludge liquor, fermented or non-fermented sludge ash) and the process (precipitation, wet chemical extraction, and thermal treatment).
SARTORIUS, C. HORN, J. von TETTENBORN, F. (2011): Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater – State-of-the-Art and Future Potential. Karlsruhe: Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
This document describes the centrifugal thickening and dewatering process. It is a high-speed process that uses the force from rapid rotation of a cylindrical bowl to separate wastewater solids from liquid.
EPA (2000): Centrifuge Thickening and Dewatering. Washington D.C.: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
This paper describes the importance of small-scale decentralised wastewater treatment using reed bed treatment systems (constructed wetlands) in Nepal. It shows how public/community participation can support small-scale construction work while ensuring checks on quality and price of construction, including examples.
ENPHO (n.y): Decentralised Wastewater Management Using Constructed Wetlands. Kathmandu: Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
Sequential precipitation of phosphorus (SEPHOS Process) seems to be promising. The generated product, an “aluminium phosphate”, is a valuable raw material for the phosphorus industry. After alkaline treatment of the “aluminium phosphate”, it is possible to precipitate phosphorus as calcium phosphate (advanced SEPHOS Process). Following acidic elution of the ash, nano-filtration can also be used to separate phosphorus.
SCHAUM, C. CORNEL, P. NORBERT, J. (n.y): Phosphorus Recovery from Sewage Sludge Ash – A Wet Chemical Approach. Darmstadt/Essen: Technische Universität Darmstadt/Ruhrverband URL [Accessed: 10.06.2019]
In many countries, knowledge about the potential for harm from health-care wastes has now become more prominent to governments, medical practitioners and civil society. The indiscriminate and erratic handling and disposal of waste within health-care facilities is now widely recognized as a source of avoidable infection, and is synonymous with public perception of poor standards of health care. Water pollution and inadequate wastewater treatment pose important risks to health.
WHO (2013): Safe Management of Wastes from Health-care Activities. (= Second Edition ). Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO) URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]The objective of this SuSanA working group is to combine the knowledge from experts in the fields of sanitation with the knowledge from experts in the field of emergency response and reconstruction. The site includes documents, workshop inputs and presentations with best practice examples of sustainable sanitation options in emergency and reconstruction situations.
This document summarises the discussion and outcomes of an expert workshop in 2009, identifying useful ideas that can improve sanitation practices in terms of sustainability but are still suitable for emergency situations. It includes inputs from various experts from the sector.
RUBERTO, C. JOHANNESSEN, A. (2009): Innovations in Emergency Sanitation. International Water Association (IWA). (= 2-day Workshop, 11-13 February 2009 ). Stoutenburg: The Netherlands URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]
This handbook has been developed as a practical tool to meet the needs of children and women affected by disasters. It is a very detailed document where a lot of information can be found by practioneers around the globe.
UNICEF (2005): Emergency Field Handbook. A Guide for UNICEF Staff. New York: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]
This technical note points out the importance of including the needs of vulnerable groups into public health programmes in general. It features a checklist for practically responding to gender and other socio-cultural issues and a case study from Pakistan (2005) where Oxfam adapted communal sanitation facilities for communities where women previously lived in seclusion.
OXFAM (n.y): Vulnerability and Socio-Cultural Considerations for PHE in Emergencies. Oxfam Technical Brief. Oxford: OXFAM URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]The sanitation decision tool is based on the Eawag Sanitation Compendium and aims to give support in choosing the right sanitation chain components, from a spectrum of options. It shall help the user to find a tailored solution suitable for the specific context that the sanitation system will be placed in. The tool exists as a print and digital version.
A portable toilet appropriate for disaster response is presented in this report. The urine is diverted and the feces undergo a lactofermentation process. Biochar is added also to the feces to eliminate odor and facilitate the reuse of the excreta as a soil additive. The design, costs, logistics and expected challenges are discussed.
KINSTEDT, K. (2012): Design of a Portable Ecological Sanitation Toilet for Disaster Relief. Hamburg: Institute of Wastewater Management and Water Protection at the Technical University of Hamburg URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]
This book supports in making informed decisions regarding wetland design.
KADLEC, R. H. WALLACE, S. D. (2009): Treatment Wetlands. 2nd Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group URL [Accessed: 09.06.2019]