Standard Operating Procedure for Testing Wastewater, Faecal Sludge and Biosolids

February 26, 2024

In the development of sustainable waste management practices, the accurate assessment of faecal sludge quality is highly essential. In the area of sanitation practices, there exists a conspicuous gap in the literature concerning the thorough characterization of faecal sludge (FS). Recognizing this dearth, this comprehensive guide aims to fill this gap by a compilation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) meticulously designed for testing and analysing faecal sludge and wastewater. Characteristics of faecal sludge can be different than these other matrices by orders of magnitude. Sampling is a crucial aspect of monitoring the quality of sanitation systems, there is currently no standard method for sampling that can be used universally. As a result, researchers and practitioners need to carefully design and implement sampling strategies that are appropriate for the specific context and environment. This book consists of wide range of testing methodologies, from assessing Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), heavy metals and elemental analysis and also conducting precise microbial examinations for faecal coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella and helminths.