Training Programme on Faecal Sludge and Decentralised Wastewater Management

Date:  December 17-20, 2019

Venue: Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute, Nimli, Rajasthan

School of Wate and Waste, CSE organised a tailor made 4 days residential training programme on "Faecal Sludge and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment” from 17-20 December at AAETI.

The training aimed to create cadre of practitioners with knowledge, skill and attitude to mainstream urban faecal sludge and decentralized wastewater management.

This training was attended by a total of 29 participants, who were from diverse background. Participants from Water for People, ECOSAN, Gurujal, World vision India, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai attended this training programme. We also had international participants from BORDA, Afghanistan and Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (AUWSSC).  

The training programme was divided into different modules, comprising of Shit Flow Diagram (SFD), Onsite Sanitation Systems, Faecal Sludge and Decentralized Wastewater Management to meet the need of the target groups. The theoretical and practical modules included interactive sessions, presentation on case studies and site visit to successfully implemented treatment systems. The participants got the opportunity to plan and design onsite systems and decentralized wastewater treatment system as part of ‘Do It Yourself’- group exercise.

On day 1 (17^th December), the training started with green campus tour of AAETI, which helped participants to explore the green features of the campus and to understand the actual implementation of decentralized wastewater management. The first session was delivered by Dr Suresh Rohilla, Academic Director, AAETI on introduction and context setting of the training and describing the importance of sustainable and affordable sanitation for all. Further, the rest of the sessions were held on Shit Flow Diagram (SFD). Mr Shantanu Padhi, CSE started the session with an introduction of Shit Flow Diagram followed by a session of Mr Bhitush Luthra, CSE, who gave insight to the participants on how to read and interpret SFD. The participants presented their SFDs through presentation later in the day.

Day 2 of the training was focused on the concept of Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM), understanding different onsite sanitation systems and faecal sludge treatment technologies. FSSM is the part of the missing puzzle which needs to be planned and managed well. The day started with highly interactive reflection session followed by an introductory session on FSSM by Dr Sumita Singhal, CSE. Later Mr Bhitush Luthra and Mr Shantanu Padhi explained about Onsite Sanitation Systems with design specifications. A group exercise on septage quantification was carried out to understand “How to calculate the design load of FSTP”. Participants also got an opportunity to explore in-house FSM laboratory at AAETI and interacted with laboratory staff to understand the various aspects of sample collection, analysis and report preparation. “What is the present scenario of emptying and transportation in FSM and what can be the best solution”? was discussed by Dr Sumita Singhal followed by the session on different faecal sludge and septage treatment technologies by Mr Jyoti Parsad.

Day 3 commenced with the early morning trek by the participants and sessions started with recap of previous day followed by a brain storming session by Dr Mahreen Matto, CSE on aspects of centralised and decentralised approach of wastewater management. An exercise was conducted to imbibe the concept in an easy manner. This session was followed by a session on “Introduction of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment system (DWWTs)” by Dr Sumita Singhal. In this session, various decentralized wastewater treatment technologies were discussed along with budgeting. Dr Mahreen Matto explained about various aspects related with data collection required to setup a decentralized treatment facility followed by showcasing the successfully implemented DWWT at various scales at national and international level. Further, Mr Jyoti Parsad described in detail about the designing of DWWTs. The day concluded with a hand on group exercise on designing of DWWTs by the participants based on their learning and brain storming session.

The last day of the training started with the recap and the group presentations by the participants on the given DWWTs exercise. Participants took this opportunity to showcase their learnings through designing of a DWWTs for the given data. The last session of the training was conducted by Mr Jyoti Parsad on operation and maintenance aspects of DWWTs followed by wrapping up with felicitation and participant’s feedback on how the learnings can be taken forward and suggestions.