ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW FSTP
New Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) should be established for villages outside operational clusters of existing co-treatment facilities. This ensures complete coverage of FSM services across all areas.
Implementation Steps
Step 1: Land Identification
Select a suitable site with appropriate size and environmental clearances for FSTP construction.
Site Selection Criteria:
- Adequate land area based on technology and capacity
- Environmental clearances obtained or obtainable
- Accessible by road for desludging vehicles
- Safe distance from habitation (as per norms)
- Groundwater level considerations
- Land ownership/availability (government land preferred)
- Proximity to potential reuse sites (farms, green belts)
Step 2: Cluster Formation
Group villages within 15 km road distance of the proposed FSTP site. Ensure no overlap with existing co-treatment clusters.
Cluster Planning:
- Map all villages within 15 km radius
- Exclude villages already covered by co-treatment clusters
- Assess total population and household count
- Survey predominant containment types (septic tanks, pits)
- Evaluate road connectivity and access
Step 3: Faecal Sludge Quantification
Estimate the volume of faecal sludge to be treated using the triangulation method:
Population Method
Project future population using AP, GP, or Incremental Increase. Calculate per-capita sludge generation.
OSS Volume Method
Based on septic tank sizes, user counts, accumulation rates, and desludging frequency.
Transportation Method
Historical data from desludging operations, trip records, and vehicle capacities.
Note: Cross-validate results from all three methods. Design capacity should account for future growth (typically 15-20 year horizon).
Step 4: Technology Selection
Select appropriate treatment technology based on sludge quantities, available land, and local conditions. Decentralized, cost-effective solutions are preferred for rural and peri-urban contexts.
Sludge Drying Beds (SDB)
Simple, robust technology using natural evaporation and drainage to dewater sludge.
Advantages:
- Low capital and O&M costs
- Simple operation
- No energy requirement
- Suitable for small capacities
Considerations:
- Requires more land area
- Climate dependent (drying time varies)
- Manual sludge removal
Planted Drying Beds (PDB)
Enhanced drying beds with wetland plants that improve dewatering and provide natural treatment.
Advantages:
- Better treatment quality
- Longer loading cycles (less frequent desludging)
- Aesthetic integration with landscape
- Nutrient uptake by plants
Considerations:
- Plant establishment period required
- Regular plant maintenance
- Slightly higher initial cost than SDB
FSTP Components
Receiving Station
Designated area for desludging vehicles to discharge faecal sludge safely. Includes screening to remove debris.
Screening Unit
Removes large solids, plastics, and debris before treatment. Manual or mechanical screens.
Treatment Units
Main treatment through SDB or PDB. May include anaerobic treatment (settling tanks) for pre-treatment.
Effluent Collection
Storage tank for collecting treated liquid for reuse or further polishing treatment.
Biosolids Storage
Covered area for storing dried biosolids before reuse or disposal.