Dear Nida,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback and for reviewing my database. I greatly appreciate your suggestions.

One of the parameters you mentioned, such as emptying time, is already included in the “Additional Description” field. However, as observed, there is some heterogeneity in reporting across different studies — some provide these details, while others do not.
I agree that finding a standardised way to capture this information will improve consistency and usability.

With further refinement, we can also create clearer distinctions and better structure these data fields, making them more accessible and practical for analysis.

Thank you once again for your valuable guidance and input.

Best regards,
Chekwubechukwu Victory Chibueze
Institute of Water Education, IHE Delft

Dear Victory,

Thank you for sharing the insight from your study. This initiative looks quite good in terms of developing the global dataset for fecal sludge characterization. It would be helpful if you could include the following in the dataset:
1. emptying frequency / when was last emptying
2. material used for cleaning (water/ toilet paper / other)

Rest the dataset, and its organization looks handy. It can be used to evaluate the characteristics of fecal sludge similar to your area, and one can find the best strategies/technologies to manage.

Dear SuSanA Community,

I am a master’s research student at the Institute of Water Education, IHE Delft, conducting a research study titled “Development of Database and Decision-Making Tool for Treatment of Faecal Sludge ” under the supervision of Prof. Damir Brdjanovic and Dr. Konstantina Velkushanova.

I have developed a Microsoft Access database of faecal sludge (FS) characteristics to facilitate access to FS data, which may serve as a foundation for developing a decision-support tool for treatment. This database concept serves as a prototype, laying the groundwork for the larger global database currently being developed by a consortium of 12 laboratories globally and a team of developers announced on the LinkedIn page of the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS) earlier this year. While it may contribute data to the global system, the specific integration process and data pathways are yet to be fully defined. The database compiles data from multiple studies and presents it in an accessible format.

For an overview of the database design and properties, please refer to the attached PDF. 

To ensure it meets the needs of practitioners and researchers to make the required impact in the society, I would appreciate your
feedback on:

1. Critical Parameters –   Are the parameters included sufficient, or are there others you consider essential?
2. Presentation Format –   Is the layout and functionality clear, or should it be redesigned (Excel table, dashboard, or web platform)?
3. Target Users –     Who do you think would benefit most from this resource?
4. Improvements – What changes would make it more useful for field application and decision-making?

Your suggestions will guide improvements and ensure the database becomes a practical tool for the FSM community.

Thank you for taking the time to review and share your insights!

Best regards,
Chekwubechukwu Victory Chibueze
Institute of Water Education,
IHE Delft.
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