ICT-based solution for efficient fecal sludge management: An experience from Bangladesh

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Public Health
• Information Technology

Background:

• On-site sanitation facilities (OSSF) are prevalent in Bangladesh, posing challenges to safe sanitation due to poor infrastructure and fecal sludge management.
• Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 necessitates improved fecal sludge management, particularly in low-middle income countries.
• Unplanned development and inadequate monitoring hinder safe sanitation practices in many Bangladeshi municipalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present findings, challenges, and solutions for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based fecal sludge management (FSM).
• To collect data on containment structures and desludging practices in Saidpur municipality, Bangladesh.
• To develop and implement a web-based monitoring system for sustainable FSM.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive study of 18,808 households and 407 institutions in Saidpur municipality.
• Assessment of containment structures, desludging practices, and sanitation malpractices.
• Development of an ICT-based web application with a dashboard for sanitation monitoring and defaulter identification.

Main Results:

• Approximately 10% of containments were illegally connected to drains.
• 95% of residents practiced unsafe fecal sludge disposal, with 7% resorting to open defecation.
• An ICT dashboard was implemented to provide a global overview of the sanitation scenario and facilitate targeted interventions.

Conclusions:

• The ICT-based solution enables effective monitoring, identification of malpractices, and strategic FSM.
• The system facilitates the accessibility of vacuum truck services and proposes alternatives for septic tank emptying.
• This innovative approach promotes improved sanitation practices, community awareness, and a green business mechanism through co-composting.