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Online Course on Faecal Sludge Management

The objective of this course is to gain an understanding of all of the required aspects for the design and operation of a comprehensive faecal sludge management (FSM) system.

For whom?

The course is designed for professionals who deal with planning, promoting, designing, operating or managing faecal sludge for residents in urban, peri-urban, slum or rural areas, in low income countries and beyond. A solid foundation in physics and chemistry is essential to follow this course; a good understanding of wastewater and its (biological) treatment will strongly support the understanding of the course’s content.

Prerequisites

The course targets professionals who deal with planning, promoting, designing, operating or managing FS for residents in urban, peri-urban, slum or rural areas, in low income countries and beyond. Background on physics and chemistry is essential to follow this course whereas a good understanding of wastewater and its (biological) treatment will strongly support the understanding of the course.

Learning objectives

  1. Recognize the very limited conditions under which faecal sludge can be co-treated in sewer based wastewater treatment systems
  2. Discuss the social, procedural, technical and safety aspects related to the collection and transport of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation technologies
  3. Understand the importance of an integrated approach for faecal sludge management
  4. Differentiate between a range of resource recovery options from faecal sludge and key criteria for their selection.
  5. Critically appraise the complexity in designing, implementing, monitoring and optimizing an entire FS management system chain
  6. Design technologies for faecal sludge treatment and with appropriate level of operation, maintenance and monitoring necessary to achieve desired treatment goals

Course structure

Course Program

Sub-course 1: Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management
Unit 1.1: General Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management
Unit 1.2: Introduction to the Course on Faecal Sludge Management

Sub-course 2: Technological Fundaments of Faecal Sludge Management
Unit 2.1: Characterisation of Faecal Sludge
Unit 2.2: Treatment Mechanisms

Sub-course 3: Collection and Transport of Faecal Sludge
Unit 3.1: Methods and Means of Transport 

Sub-course 4: Faecal Sludge Treatment Technologies
Unit 4.1: Overview of Technologies for Faecal Sludge Treatment
Unit 4.2: Settling-Thickening
Unit 4.3: Drying Beds
Unit 4.4: Co-Treatment with Faecal Sludge
Unit 4.5: Enduse of Treatment Products

Sub-course 5: Management in Faecal Sludge Management
Unit 5.1: Operation and Maintenance
Unit 5.2: Institutional Frameworks
Unit 5.3: Financial Transfers and Responsibility

Sub-course 6: Non-technical Aspects of Faecal Sludge Management
Unit 6.1: Assessment of the Initial Situation
Unit 6.2: Planning of Integrated FSM Systems

Additional information

The final mark of the course (100%) is made up of the marks obtained in the course assignments (40%) and the final examination (60%). The course is successfully completed when the average final mark is higher than or at least equal to a 6.0, and 5 EC can be awarded. However, recognizing that not all students may be interested in the ECTS and doing the final examination, a student who has an average mark higher than or at least equal to 5.0 for the assignments, is entitled to receive a Certificate of Participation. To get the right to carry out the final examination, the average mark for the assignments must be at least equal to 5.0. 

Course Coordinator

Konstantina Velkushanova

Senior Lecturer in Non-Sewered Sanitation

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