FAECAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT

Comprehensive guidance on FSM for urban and rural India. Policies, guidelines, treatment infrastructure, and implementation support for ULBs, PRIs, engineers, and implementing agencies.

Stage 1: Collection & Transport Stage 2: Treatment & Reuse

BACKGROUND

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.

THE 2-STAGE FRAMEWORK

1

Collection, Emptying & Transportation

From identifying toilet typologies to executing safe transportation of faecal sludge to treatment facilities.

8 Steps →
2

Treatment & Reuse

Co-treatment at existing STPs or establishing new FSTPs, plus safe reuse or disposal of treated products.

2 Approaches →
Stage 1

COLLECTION, EMPTYING & TRANSPORTATION

Step 1

Collection of Faecal Sludge

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The first step in Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) is to identify the type of containment system connected to toilets. Not all toilet pits require formal desludging services. However, containment systems such as lined single pits, septic tanks, and holding tanks require structured faecal sludge management.

Toilet Typologies

Code Containment Type
T0Toilet discharging into the open (no containment)
T1Single Leach Pit (Unlined)
T2Single Leach Pit (Lined)
T3Twin Pit System
T4Septic Tank without Soak Pit
T5Septic Tank with Soak Pit
T6Holding Tank (No outlet)
T7Other Types (EcoSan toilets, Bio-toilets, etc.)
[PDF] Toilet Typology Booklet
Step 2

Preparation of FSSM Policy & Guidelines

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Desludging should typically be carried out every 3 to 5 years for most containment structures. To institutionalize this process, a Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) Policy is developed in collaboration with relevant departments and agencies.

The policy establishes:

  • The regulatory framework for FSM
  • Operational standards and protocols
  • Roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders
  • Guidelines for safe desludging, transportation, treatment, and disposal

Resources

[PDF] Draft FSM Policy - Haryana
Step 3

Identification & Orientation of Desludging Operators

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Desludging operators (DSOs) are service providers who specialise in the safe and efficient emptying, collection, and transportation of faecal sludge from on-site sanitation systems. They typically own and operate mechanised desludging vehicles (e.g., vacuum tankers or suction machines).

Two types of desludging networks:

Government DSOs

Operate under urban local bodies, departments, etc. Follow fixed pricing and are regularly monitored.

Private DSOs

Operate independently. Service quality and pricing may vary, disposal often unregulated.

Steps to identify and orient DSOs:

  1. Identification through numbers on poles, walls, posters; NAMASTE portal data; local sanitation workers
  2. Publish advertisement in newspapers to invite all existing DSOs
  3. Orientation meeting on FSM Policy, guidelines, and registration/licensing process
  4. Inform DSOs on mandate for disposal at designated STPs/FSTPs
Step 4

Registration/Licensing of Desludging Operators

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A mechanism for Registration/Licensing of Desludging operators must be developed for effective implementation of FSM policy. Only licensed operators should be allowed to provide desludging services.

Registration/Licensing system requirements:

  • Online portal for smooth registration/license process
  • Separate registration/license for each desludging vehicle
  • Permission to operate in both rural and urban areas
  • Fixed period validity (preferably one year) with renewal
  • Fitness check of vehicle before providing license
  • District-level licensing authority
Step 5

Tariff Setting for Desludging Services

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Desludging of toilet pits has to be directly charged to beneficiaries/households. The registering/licensing authorities must notify applicable tariffs.

Tariff setting principles:

  • Direct charges to households/commercial establishments with subsidy mechanisms for motivation
  • Finalized in consultation with existing service providers
  • Rates fixed for single trip up to 10 km; additional per-km charges beyond

Tariff Structure

Non-BPL Households

Vehicle Capacity Fixed/Emptying Charges Transport (per km)
≤3000 Ltr.
3001-4000 Ltr.
4001-5000 Ltr.
> 5000 Ltr.

BPL Households

Vehicle Capacity Fixed/Emptying Charges Transport (per km)
≤3000 Ltr.
3001-4000 Ltr.
4001-5000 Ltr.
> 5000 Ltr.

Commercial Establishments

Vehicle Capacity Fixed/Emptying Charges Transport (per km)
≤3000 Ltr.
3001-4000 Ltr.
4001-5000 Ltr.
> 5000 Ltr.

Note: Tariff values to be filled based on state-specific guidelines.

Step 6

Mechanism for Request-Based Desludging Services

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The state shall develop a call-centre/online service portal/mobile application for citizens to register requests for emptying septic tanks and single pit toilets.

Key requirements:

  • Add desludging services to existing toll-free numbers or portals like UPYOG
  • Connect registered/licensed service providers to households within designated time
  • Service requests closed only after successful collection AND disposal at designated treatment plant

This ensures the FSM value chain is followed and prevents disposal in open areas or water bodies.

Step 7

Awareness through IEC Campaign

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An effective Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategy is crucial for community participation and compliance with FSM practices.

Campaign channels:

1. Messaging on Desludging Vehicles

Display "Septic Tank should be cleaned every 3–5 years" and toll-free number on tankers.

2. Display at Treatment Facilities

Operational guidelines, roles, and safe disposal protocols at FSTPs.

3. Wall Paintings in Villages

Key messages on prominent walls; remove private desludger advertisements.

4. Media and Digital Campaigns

Radio, newspapers, digital platforms to raise awareness about safe desludging.

Sample IEC Materials

Desludge every 3 years poster

Awareness poster for households

Guidelines for desludgers poster

Guidelines for desludging operators

Step 8

Execution of the Transportation Stage

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Upon completion of capacity-building, the operational phase begins. Users initiate requests through the toll-free number, and the FSM portal assigns trips to the nearest licensed operator.

Operator workflow:

  1. Accept the trip through the portal
  2. Proceed to user location and perform desludging with appropriate equipment and PPE
  3. Transport collected faecal sludge to designated FSTP or co-treatment facility
  4. Complete disposal as per safety and compliance norms

The FSM portal monitors trip status from booking to disposal. Once verified, the booking is marked complete.

Stage 2

TREATMENT & REUSE

Effective faecal sludge management requires safe treatment and beneficial reuse of treated by-products. Planning must account for FS volume, suitable technologies, land requirements, and end-use options—best undertaken at cluster level.

Two major approaches:

Approach 1

Co-treatment at Existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)

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This approach leverages existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, allowing cost-effective treatment of FS through integration into under-utilised STPs.

Step 1: Identification of Underutilised STPs

STPs operating below capacity should be shortlisted. Use technical checklist to ensure suitability.

Step 2: Clustering of Villages

Villages within 15 km road distance form a cluster for centralized FS collection.

Step 3: Quantification of Faecal Sludge

Use triangulation approach with three methods:

  • Population Method: Projections using AP, GP, Incremental Increase
  • Volume of OSS Systems: Based on septic tank design, users, frequency
  • Transportation Method: Operational data from desludging vehicles

Step 4: Co-treatment Technology Selection

A. Dilution Method

Direct addition of FS into sewage influent. Simplest method, minimal infrastructure changes. Requires continuous monitoring.

Dilution method diagram
B. Solid-Liquid Separation

Extract solids before introducing liquid to STP. Uses Planted Drying Beds (PDB) or Screw Press. Minimizes shock-loading.

Planted Drying Beds

Planted Drying Beds (PDB)

Screw Press

Screw Press

[External] Standard Designs and Estimates - UWM & FSM Portal
Approach 2

Establishment of New FSTP

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New Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants should be established for villages outside operational clusters of existing co-treatment facilities.

Step 1: Land Identification

Select suitable site with appropriate size, environmental clearances. Consider access roads, groundwater level, distance from habitation.

Step 2: Cluster Formation

Group villages within 15 km. Ensure no overlap with existing co-treatment clusters.

Step 3: Faecal Sludge Quantification

Estimate using triangulation method (population, OSS volume, transportation).

Step 4: Technology Selection

Based on sludge quantities, land, and local conditions. Options include Sludge Drying Beds (SDB) or Planted Drying Beds (PDB)—decentralized, cost-effective, suited to rural/peri-urban contexts.

End Products

Reuse & Disposal

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The faecal sludge treatment system generates two key end products with opportunities for safe reuse and resource recovery.

1. Biosolids

Dried sludge from planted drying beds. Rich in nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus.

Reuse: Soil conditioner for agriculture

Disposal: Designated landfill sites if reuse not feasible

2. Treated Water

Liquid fraction collected in storage tank after treatment.

Reuse options:

  • Agricultural irrigation
  • Watering green belts/plantations
  • Gardening and landscaping

GLOSSARY

FSM
Faecal Sludge Management
FSSM
Faecal Sludge and Septage Management
STP
Sewage Treatment Plant
FSTP
Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant
DSO
Desludging Service Operator
ULB
Urban Local Body
PRI
Panchayati Raj Institution
IEC
Information, Education, and Communication
BPL
Below Poverty Line
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
O&M
Operation and Maintenance
DPR
Detailed Project Report
PDB
Planted Drying Bed
SDB
Sludge Drying Bed
BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand
KLD
Kilolitres per Day
OSS
On-Site Sanitation
AMRUT
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
SBM
Swachh Bharat Mission
MoHUA
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
DDWS
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation