Safer Management and Reliable Treatment (SMaRT) of Faecal Sludge in Emergencies

WHAT HUMANITARIAN NEED IS BEING ADDRESSED?Safely managing faecal sludge in bulk during humanitarian crises can be particularly challenging due to fluctuations in the volume and composition of excreta inputs, combined with variations in the quality of lime, plus uncertainties in the survival of pathogens. This can lead to departure from existing standard operating protocols and results in increased operating costs. Project SMaRT focuses on these aspects in order to identify and optimize lime-based treatment, to improve operator safety, minimize costs and reduce risks associated with the handling and disposal of faecal sludge. The project utilises two faecal sludge treatment plants operated by MSF and BRAC.

WHAT IS THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION AND HOW WILL IT IMPROVE EXISTING HUMANITARIAN PRACTICE?

Project SMaRT involves two separate MSF/BRAC-run FSTPs processing excreta from communal latrines and clinical settings. The project focuses on a blend of practical, innovative adaptions and interventions designed to target and address inconsistencies and shortcomings associated with existing lime treatment approaches. These include 1) the development of novel field-based kits establishing and characterising available lime quality; 2) production of simplified dosing protocols based on available lime content and survival of microorganisms (reducing uncertainties surrounding lime dosing); 3) assessment of pathogen removal using laboratory and field-based microbe kits and 4) understanding the potential suitability of lime for managing and controlling excreta in healthcare settings (e.g. during cholera outbreaks). Therefore, these activities should ensure that lime can be optimized for rapid, cost-effective excreta management during the acute phase of emergencies and used as a readily deployable, reliable emergency back-up, with which to complement longer-term biological treatment (during the stabilization phase and beyond).

EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR THE PROJECT

Field-based lime purity kits and associated protocols (diagrammatic handbooks) will be produced following lab-based development at the University of Brighton and further optimised following deployment in Cox’s Bazar. Microbe test kits will be adapted for use with faecal sludge from domestic and healthcare sources and protocols for their field-based deployment developed. Monitoring and evaluation of user-friendliness and efficacy of the field-based tools will be assessed by treatment staff on the ground and optimised via iterative improvements.

Controlled lab-based survival studies involving pathogen surrogates (Vibrio’s, phages and indicator organism) combined with assessments of lime purity will result in the simplified lime dosing and publication of guidance material (handbook, graphical instruction sheets). Outputs including a lessons-learned document (following user-feedback) and peer reviewed journal submissions describing the survival studies, field-based monitoring and lime suitability will also be produced and made available to regional/international humanitarian actors via existing WaSH platforms and forums (Octopus, GWC).

Image: Rohingya Camp Cox's Bazar Bangladesh, By Mamorshedalam (Adobe Photo Stock - Educational License)