Operation and Maintenance of Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Systems

With the increasing adoption of faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) across India, several states have established faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) to safely manage faecal sludge and septage from on-site sanitation systems. Rajasthan is implementing FSSM infrastructure at a scale, with 60+ operational FSTPs.

While significant progress has been made in creating the treatment infrastructure, ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of these facilities remains critical for achieving environmental and public health outcomes. Treatment plants require regular monitoring, preventive maintenance, proper documentation, adherence to safety protocols, and efficient management of treatment processes to deliver sustainable performance over the long term.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), through its work on urban sanitation and faecal sludge management, has been supporting states and urban local bodies in strengthening their FSSM systems through research, technical assistance, policy support, and capacity building. Recent assessments of operational FSTPs in Rajasthan have highlighted the need for strengthening capacities of plant operators, municipal officials, and service providers to address operational challenges and improve plant performance.

We invite nominations and applications for a three-day residential training programme on operating and maintaining FSSM systems, which would provide participants with practical knowledge and hands-on exposure to various treatment technologies, operational protocols, health and safety practices, monitoring mechanisms, and innovative approaches for improving plant utilisation and efficiency.

WHAT THE TRAINING WILL COVER

  • Current status and progress of FSSM in Rajasthan
  • Fundamentals of FSSM and the sanitation value chain
  • Key findings from assessments of operational FSTPs and lessons for improving plant performance
  • Planning and management of operation and maintenance activities
  • Operation and maintenance requirements of primary, secondary and tertiary treatment units on pyrolyzer based omniprocessor
  • Strategies for enhancing plant capacity utilisation through improved desludging services, urban-rural convergence, IEC activities and regulatory measures
  • Occupational health and safety practices for treatment plant personnel
  • Testing and monitoring protocols for faecal sludge and wastewater
  • Emergency response procedures at treatment facilities
  • Documentation, reporting, monitoring systems, SCADA applications and O&M checklists
  • Exposure to innovative treatment technologies and operational practices
  • Field visit to an operational FSTP for practical learning and experience sharing

TRAINING COORDINATOR

Vivek Kumar Sah
Programme Officer
Water, CSE
vivek.sah@cseindia.org
+91- 9708887214

TRAINING DIRECTOR

Subrata Chakraborty
Director
Water Programme, CSE
subrata.chakraborty @cseindia.org

 

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Flyer
Koshy Cherail
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Training Fees
Rs 22, 000 PER PARTICIPANT
(single-occupancy accommodation)<

Rs 20,500 PER PARTICIPANT
(double-occupancy accommodation)

Please Note: There is no training fee for nominated government officials.
Training Methodology
The programme will adopt a participatory learning approach comprising of technical presentations, interactive discussions, quizzes, group exercises, laboratory exposure, case study analysis, and a field visit.
Target Participants
The programme is intended for engineers, municipal officials, treatment plant operators, sanitation professionals, and representatives of agencies involved in the implementation, operation, and maintenance of faecal sludge and septage management systems.
CSE will provide travel support from Alwar/Delhi to the training centre and back. It will also offer boarding-lodging support for the duration of the training programme. All other travel and related expenses will have to be borne by the nominating agency/organisation.