Training on Fecal Sludge Management: Planning, Treatment & Reuse Solutions
Gain practical skills in fecal sludge management—from planning and treatment to reuse. Learn scalable solutions for non-sewered sanitation and resource recovery in WASH systems.
Next intake
20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru
Duration
5 days
Live instruction
Delivery
Physical + Virtual
Cohort based
Level
Intermediate
Working professionals
Certification
NITA reimbursable
For Kenyan cohorts
Language
English
All materials
About this programme
This specialized course provides a comprehensive understanding of fecal sludge management (FSM) for non-sewered sanitation systems. It equips WASH professionals, engineers, and planners with the technical, institutional, and operational knowledge needed to design, implement, and manage effective FSM systems. Participants will explore safe containment, emptying, transport, treatment, and reuse solutions, with a focus on sustainability, health, and environmental protection.
Duration
5 Days
Who Should Attend
-
Urban and rural sanitation engineers
-
Environmental health officers and WASH professionals
-
Government and utility officials
-
NGO and development program managers
-
Researchers and sanitation policy advisors
What you'll walk away with
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
-
Understand key concepts in fecal sludge management and its importance in non-sewered areas
-
Design and plan FSM systems across the sanitation value chain
-
Evaluate treatment and reuse options for fecal sludge
-
Assess institutional roles, policy frameworks, and private sector engagement in FSM
-
Apply tools for resource recovery, environmental sustainability, and health protection
What we cover, module by module
Module 1: Foundations of Fecal Sludge Management (FSM)
- Overview of FSM within the sanitation service chain
- Composition, characteristics, and variability of fecal sludge
- FSM challenges in urban, peri-urban, and informal settlements
- Risks and limitations of non-sewered sanitation systems
- Case Study: FSM service delivery models in rapidly growing cities
Module 2: FSM Planning and Service Delivery Systems
- FSM planning frameworks and urban sanitation strategies
- Estimating sludge production, accumulation, and demand
- Collection, transport, and transfer station design options
- Institutional arrangements and public–private partnership models
- Practical Exercise: Mapping FSM service chain gaps in a target city
Module 3: Fecal Sludge Treatment Technologies
- Overview of treatment options (drying beds, anaerobic digestion, lagoons, co-treatment)
- Technology selection based on scale, cost, and context
- Centralized vs. decentralized treatment approaches
- Emerging innovations in low-cost and modular FSM systems
- Case Study: Performance of decentralized fecal sludge treatment plants
Module 4: Resource Recovery and Safe Reuse
- Circular economy principles in FSM
- Recovery products: compost, biogas, fuel briquettes, and construction materials
- Health, safety, and regulatory standards for reuse
- Business models and market development for recovered resources
- Case Study: Successful fecal sludge-to-energy and compost initiatives
Module 5: Implementation, Monitoring, and FSM Sustainability
- FSM project lifecycle: planning, implementation, and operations
- Environmental and public health risk management
- Monitoring systems, indicators, and digital FSM tools
- Developing a sustainable FSM operational and investment plan
- Final Project: Design an FSM system framework for an urban or peri-urban setting
Where the change lands
Organizational Impact
-
Improves community health and safety through effective FSM systems.
-
Ensures cost-effective, scalable sanitation solutions for growing populations.
-
Strengthens reputation as a leader in sustainable sanitation management.
Personal Impact
-
Builds in-demand skills for careers in public health and environmental sectors.
-
Supports advancement into senior planning, leadership, or advisory roles.
-
Equips participants to lead and champion innovative and sustainable FSM initiatives.
Dates and locations
Upcoming intakes
Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.
| City | Starts | Ends | Delivery | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NakuruNext | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kigali | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Accra | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kisumu | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Johannesburg | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Dakar | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
- NakuruNext
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kigali
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Accra
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kisumu
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Johannesburg
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Dakar
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake
Common questions.
Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.
You may also like.
Programmes in the same discipline that participants often pair with this course.
Hybrid5 daysLearn how AI, satellite imagery, and remote sensing technologies support drought monitoring and water scarcity forecasting.
Hybrid5 daysBuild expertise in AI-driven water resource planning to strengthen water security, resilience, and climate adaptation.
Hybrid5 daysLearn AI-powered groundwater and aquifer sustainability modeling using machine learning, GIS and geospatial analytics for water resource planning and management
Course finder
Find the right course for you
Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.
For corporate teams
Training 10+ professionals?
We deliver Training on Fecal Sludge Management: Planning, Treatment & Reuse Solutions in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.