Faecal Sludge and Septage Management | 26 Jun 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

India has recently set up more than 1,000 Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) equipped with digital technology. This signifies the emergence of Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) as an innovative method for creating effective and environmentally friendly sanitation solutions.

What are Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs)?

• About: FSTPs are specialised facilities in FSSM designed to process and treat faecal sludge and septage collected from on-site sanitation systems like septic tanks.
  • FSSM places a primary focus on the management of human excreta, recognising it as the waste stream with the most significant potential for disease transmission.
• Objective: FSTPs are created to manage and treat human waste that is not connected to centralised sewage systems, especially in areas needing more comprehensive sewerage infrastructure.
  • These plants treat the collected faecal sludge to reduce pathogens and organic matter, making it safe for disposal or reuse.
• Digital Integration: There's a growing trend of incorporating digital monitoring and management systems in FSTPs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Geographic Information System (GIS):
    • Use of GIS technology for mapping sanitation infrastructure and planning.
  • Mobile Applications:
    • Implementation of mobile applications like SaniTab, mWater, Google Forms, and Kobo Toolbox for streamlining field surveys and data collection
    • Utilisation of GPS tracking for desludging services, as seen in Odisha and Maharashtra.
  • Sustainable Urban Services:
    • Odisha has launched the Sustainable Urban Services in a Jiffy (SUJOG) program, which is powered by the Digital Infrastructure for Governance, Impact, and Transformation (DIGIT) platform to make city sustainable for future.

What is the Need for Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM)?

• Eradicating Manual Scavenging:
  • The practice of manual scavenging is driven by caste, class and income divides. It is linked to India’s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job.
  • In 1989, the Prevention of Atrocities Act became an integrated guard for sanitation workers with more than 90% people employed as manual scavengers belonged to the Scheduled Caste.
• Health Outcomes:
  • Adequate sanitation facilities play a crucial role in reducing waterborne diseases, significantly impacting India's overall health status.
  • The total sanitation campaign in India has demonstrated positive results in this regard.
• Environmental Preservation:
  • Improper sewage management, including the discharge of untreated wastewater into the River Ganga, continues to be a significant source of environmental pollution. Implementing effective sanitation systems is crucial to addressing this problem.
• Socio-Economic Progress:
  • Improved sanitation is strongly correlated with increased economic productivity, as healthier communities are better equipped to participate in the workforce and contribute to economic growth.
• Dignity and Social Equity:
  • Access to proper sanitation facilities is fundamental to human dignity, particularly for women, as it provides safe and private spaces for personal hygiene, thereby enhancing overall quality of life.

What are the Challenges Related to Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM)?

• Collection and Conveyance Issues:
  • Challenges include the persistence of illegal manual scavenging, limited access to septic tanks, improper tank design and sizing, inadequate infrastructure, lack of scheduled cleaning, and insufficient formal private sector involvement.
• Digital Barrier:
  • Unreliable or absent internet access in peripheral areas hinders the effective deployment of digital solutions. The increasing digitalisation of FSSM systems raises vulnerabilities to data breaches and cyber-attacks, necessitating robust security measures.
• Treatment and Disposal Deficiencies:
  • There's a significant shortage of adequate centralised or decentralised facilities and designated sites for sewage and septage treatment and disposal.
• Accessibility Barriers:
  • Challenges such as household financial constraints, limited space for individual toilets, and cultural or social factors hinder widespread access to proper sanitation facilities.
• Institutional Fragmentation:
  • The lack of an integrated city-wide approach leads to fragmented institutional roles and responsibilities.

Way Forward

• Independent Septage Treatment:
  • Independent septage treatment facilities utilize various methods, such as physical, biological, and chemical processes, to safely process and dispose of waste, aligning with sustainable sanitation practices and supporting the goals of cleaner, healthier communities.
• Land disposal of Untreated Septage:
  • Deep trench burial of faecal sludge is a viable disposal option if:
    • A suitable location is chosen
    • Contamination of surface soil is prevented
• Data Security and Privacy:
  • Develop robust mechanisms to ensure the privacy and security of collected data.
  • Example like Implement encryption and access control measures similar to those used in sensitive government databases.
• Enhance Public Awareness:
  • Awareness campaigns or IEC (Information education and communication) can be conducted to spread the information about the need to maintain hygiene and regular maintenance of septic tanks.
  • Further, it can lead to social empowerment in case of discriminated sections and elimination of night soil collection and transport.
• Standardisation and Integration:
  • Develop standardised protocols for data collection and sharing across different FSSM digital platforms.
  • Create a national-level data integration platform similar to the DIGIT platform used in Odisha's SUJOG program.