Hi Arno, Thanks for asking. Your second question has been answered by our researcher Lobke. Regarding your first question: on the one hand we are actively approaching relief organisations proposing to bring the methods to larger scale. This is done in the framework of Speedkits. On the other hand, we are proposing scaling up in the framework of a second phase of the Emergency Sanitation Project. And of course we are promoting it on any possible opportunity. Next week for instance we have a booth at the AidEx in Brussels and are we pitching. See:



We are also showing the add ons developed:

hi Arno,

Thanks for your interest in our study, I was part of the team testing the treatment options in the field. For urea addition, we added 2 - 2.5 % w/w to the sludge and sludge was treated in drums. All urea was converted after 2 - 3 days and the ammonia was contained in the drums (sealed drums). I hope this answers your question, more information can be found in the article!

kind regards, Lobke

Hi Jan
Congratulations in getting this paper published. Looks like these green solutions work. How to get wastewater engineers interested in these treatment methods? The other question is what happens to volatile nitrogen during these treatments and what about the levels of odour. Is urease inhibited?
Best wishes
--Arno

As part of the Emergency Sanitation Project (www.emergencysanitationproject.org) and S(P)EEDKITS (www.speedkits.eu ) WASTE Advisers, in close cooperation with Technical University Delft, Unesco-IHE and the University of Malawi, studied three faecal sludge sanitizing methods for application in emergency situations. The research on lactic acid fermentation, urea treatment and lime treatment is now published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

See:
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/11/13871

Interested in the details? Contact Jan Spit, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (or ask your question here)

Dear all,

Within the framework of S(P)EEDKITS and the ESP project, WASTE, in close cooperation with Unesco-IHE and Technical University Delft worked the past two years on simple concepts for faecal sludge treatment in emergency situations. On a pilot scale in Malawi, we sanitised faecal sludge using lime, urea and lactic acid and all worked well!

In addition we developed a methodology to empty ‘difficult’ pit latrines by a combination of fluidisation, fishing and vacuum emptying.

I kindly invite you to our seminar in Stockholm, so that we can discuss our findings and future plans. Please find the program and invitation below.

In the meantime, have a look at our progress report and a summary of our faecal sludge treatment findings and future work.

Regards,

Jan

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Dear friends,

We are excited to invite you to a seminar at this year’s Stockholm World Water Week, where we will discuss the work and future of the Emergency Sanitation Project (ESP). We value the opportunity that Water Week provides us to reach a different audience (as well as add some much needed sanitation and emergency response focus to the proceedings).

More information is available at the Stockholm International Water Institute website: www.worldwaterweek.org/

Members of the ESP consortium will discuss the work carried out to date and the road forward. We want to work with new partners and do more to address the challenge of sanitation in emergencies.

Date and time: September 4th, 2014 14:00 – 17:30
Place: Stockholm World Water Week, Room K24

Programme
14:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks

Theme 1 of the session: Progress to date of the Emergency Sanitation Project
14:10 Lime and Yoghurt: WASTE’s efforts to find innovative solutions in emergency sanitation.
14:25 Higher toilets and firmer foundations: Oxfam’s new sanitation products
14:40 The Limits of Worms: Setting the boundaries for sanitation in emergencies
14:55 State of the Toilet Address: Are we ready for the next big one?
15:30 Coffee break

Theme 2 of the session: Expanding the Emergency Sanitation Project
16:00 Brief Remarks and Summary of First Theme
16:05 Panel Discussion – Addressing new challenges and broadening partnership
17:15 Conclusions and wrap up
17:30 Close of Seminar

We hope you can join us for the event. In the meantime, please see attached our most recent project update and learn more about our work at www.emergencysanitationproject.org

See you in Stockholm!

William Carter
Senior Officer, Water, Sanitation and Emergency Health Unit (WatSan/EH)

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