In urban Sub-Saharan Africa, faecal sludge (FS) is often collected and transported without adequate treatment, leading to direct dumping into the urban environment. Consequently, faecal sludge management (FSM) presents a growing challenge, causing significant public health and environmental risks. This study evaluates the overall performance and efficiency of a faecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) in Kombolcha town, Ethiopia. Data were collected through interviews, field observations, laboratory analyses, and transect walks. Laboratory analyses focused on key parameters including BOD, COD, total solids (TS), phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3), and E. coli. Samples were collected from collection vehicles or vacuum trucks during disposal for raw sludge characterization, influent to the anaerobic pond, and final treated effluent, in both the dry and wet seasons. In addition to lab results, operational constraints such as staffing, knowledge, procedures, training, monitoring, and financial resources were assessed to understand factors affecting plant performance. Results show that during the dry season, under worst-case conditions, removal efficiencies for anaerobic and facultative ponds were: BOD 32.5%, TS 21.4%, COD 46.2%, NO3 9.2%, and PO4 13.9%. Overall, septage treatment efficiency was 24.5% in the wet season and 15% in the dry season. Dewatering efficiency of unplanted drying beds was 53.3% during the dry season and 41.4% during the wet season, limited to operational beds only. Key challenges included insufficient staffing, limited operator skills, the absence of operation and maintenance procedures, inadequate training, insufficient monitoring, and financial constraints. This study highlights the need for operational improvements to enhance FSTP performance and safeguard public and environmental health.
Endris et al. (Wed,) studied this question.