Septage management in urban India : providing conceptual clarity

The aim of this white paper is to provide a better understanding and overall conceptual clarity (especially to Government officials / decision makers) about septage management in India. It was inspired by a thematic online discussion on Faecal Sludge Management, organised by the India Sanitation Coalition on the SuSanA Discussion Forum.

The paper addresses the following questions:

• Is septage management a complete sanitation solution?
• What is the real cost of septage management?
• Are the existing septic tanks (in India) really septic tanks?
• Is it possible to regularize septage emptying private operators without having functional treatment facilities in towns?
• Are the right standards in place for safe reuse of treated septage for agriculture?
• Is co-composting of septage and municipal organic solid waste allowed in India?
• Are the Government approved environment laboratories prepared for testing septage samples?

Since not everyone can be served by sewerage systems in the near future, the paper concludes that septage management is one of available options to achieve sanitation for all in towns,