Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic

Andriessen, Nienke; Appiah-Effah, Eugene; Browne, Shirley Josephine Iyamide; al Jahjah, Rita; Kabika, Joel; Kinobe, Joel Robert; Korir, Naomi; Nishimwe, Pius; Niwagaba, Charles Buregeya; Pradeep, Rohini; Prasad, Prerna; Tembo, James Madalitso; William, Andruga; Ambühl, Benjamin; Strande, Linda

doi:10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28943

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic
Authors:	Andriessen, Nienke Appiah-Effah, Eugene Browne, Shirley Josephine Iyamide al Jahjah, Rita Kabika, Joel Kinobe, Joel Robert Korir, Naomi Nishimwe, Pius Niwagaba, Charles Buregeya Pradeep, Rohini Prasad, Prerna Tembo, James Madalitso William, Andruga Ambühl, Benjamin Strande, Linda
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081 10.21256/zhaw-28943
Published in:	Frontiers in Water
Volume(Issue):	5
Issue:	1130081
Issue Date:	2023
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Frontiers Research Foundation
ISSN:	2624-9375
Language:	English
Subjects:	Accumulation rate; Characteristics; Statistical relation; Standardized approach; Distance sensor; Fecal sludge
Subject (DDC):	363: Environmental and security problems
Abstract:	Reasonable estimates for quantities and qualities (Q&Q) of fecal sludge that accumulate in onsite sanitation containments are fundamental for the design of appropriate management and treatment solutions, from community to city-scale. There are increasing attempts to improve Q&Q estimates, but current approaches are still at a conceptual level, and are not yet standardized with confirmed statistical relationships. To reach this level, we will need consistent approaches for planning, measuring, and global collaborations. Hence, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess and compare Q&Q of fecal sludge from seven cities and communities, and explore statistical relationships that could be used to increase accuracy of Q&Q estimations; (2) to test and launch the Volaser device for measuring in situ volumes of fecal sludge; and (3) to capture lessons learned from field implementation with collaborators in seven countries during a global pandemic when no international travel was possible. The study took place in Ghana, India, Lebanon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q&Qs were measured in 204 containments with a Volaser, laboratory analysis, and questionnaire. Results indicate that there are differences in Total Solids (TS) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in fecal sludge based on containment type, toilet type, source, and whether there is a water connection on the premises. Based on the results of this study, together with previously published open-source data, an empirical relationship for Volatile Solids (VS) and TS of 0.49 (R2 = 0.88) was established using 1,206 data points. For COD/TS, no significant relationship was observed. Developing such empirical relationships will be useful for planning and modeling approaches. An external evaluation was conducted to evaluate overall project management, Volaser technology transfer, and effects of collaborating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Success factors for collaborating with new and existing partners without face-to-face meetings included laboratory capacity and experience with analytical methods, study objectives that were relevant for the partner and locality, and a strong quality assurance plan to ensure comparability of results. The lessons learned can be taken forward as ways to reduce carbon footprint, and contribute to resilient, inclusive development research projects.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/28943
Related research data:	https://doi.org/10.25678/0007KN
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Management and Law
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Management and Law

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Andriessen, N., Appiah-Effah, E., Browne, S. J. I., al Jahjah, R., Kabika, J., Kinobe, J. R., Korir, N., Nishimwe, P., Niwagaba, C. B., Pradeep, R., Prasad, P., Tembo, J. M., William, A., Ambühl, B., & Strande, L. (2023). Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic. Frontiers in Water, 5(1130081). https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081

Andriessen, N. et al. (2023) ‘Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic’, Frontiers in Water, 5(1130081). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081.

N. Andriessen et al., “Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic,” Frontiers in Water, vol. 5, no. 1130081, 2023, doi: 10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081.

ANDRIESSEN, Nienke, Eugene APPIAH-EFFAH, Shirley Josephine Iyamide BROWNE, Rita AL JAHJAH, Joel KABIKA, Joel Robert KINOBE, Naomi KORIR, Pius NISHIMWE, Charles Buregeya NIWAGABA, Rohini PRADEEP, Prerna PRASAD, James Madalitso TEMBO, Andruga WILLIAM, Benjamin AMBÜHL und Linda STRANDE, 2023. Quantities and qualities of fecal sludge : experiences from field implementation with a Volaser in 7 countries during a pandemic. Frontiers in Water. 2023. Bd. 5, Nr. 1130081. DOI 10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081

Andriessen, Nienke, Eugene Appiah-Effah, Shirley Josephine Iyamide Browne, Rita al Jahjah, Joel Kabika, Joel Robert Kinobe, Naomi Korir, et al. 2023. “Quantities and Qualities of Fecal Sludge : Experiences from Field Implementation with a Volaser in 7 Countries during a Pandemic.” Frontiers in Water 5 (1130081). https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081.

Andriessen, Nienke, et al. “Quantities and Qualities of Fecal Sludge : Experiences from Field Implementation with a Volaser in 7 Countries during a Pandemic.” Frontiers in Water, vol. 5, no. 1130081, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081.