Comprehensive guidance on FSM for urban and rural India. Policies, guidelines, treatment infrastructure, and implementation support for ULBs, PRIs, engineers, and implementing agencies.
India faces significant challenges in managing faecal sludge across both urban and rural areas due to inadequate collection systems, limited treatment infrastructure, and insufficient institutional capacity. With a majority of households relying on onsite sanitation systems such as septic tanks and pits, unsafe desludging and improper disposal frequently lead to contamination of water bodies, unhygienic surroundings, and severe public health risks.
To overcome these challenges, national sanitation missions—including Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Grameen) and AMRUT—emphasize achieving safely managed sanitation through systematic Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM). The missions promote regular desludging, co-treatment at existing STPs/FSTPs, and the adoption of decentralized, cost-effective treatment solutions suited to both small towns and rural settlements.
In this context, WASH Institute, in partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), state governments, and urban local bodies (ULBs)/Gram Panchayats, has been supporting the development and implementation of scalable FSM approaches.
From identifying toilet typologies to executing safe transportation of faecal sludge to treatment facilities.
Co-treatment at existing STPs or establishing new FSTPs, plus safe reuse or disposal of treated products.
Understanding containment systems T0-T7
Draft policies and guidelines
Registration process for operators
Pricing structure for services
Leverage existing infrastructure
Establishing treatment plants