Experts at a dissemination workshop observed Saturday that inadequate human sludge management system in Bangladesh would undermine the success of reducing open defecation.
They also noted that the task was of a doable one as significant investment has been made for improving sanitation during the past two decades.
They said maximum human sludge is drained into water without safe emptying, transportation, treatment, dumping, and disposal mechanism in the country that may pose threat to public health.
Their comments came at a workshop and dialogue titled 'Faecal Sludge Management' at ITN-BUET seminar room in the city. WaterAid Bangladesh, Practical Action Bangladesh and ITN-BUET jointly organised the workshop.
Researchers, professionals, city corporations and WASA officials, and development activists took part at the dialogue on three action research projects on Faecal Sludge Management.
The speakers said Bangladesh has reduced open defecation to a significant 4.4 per cent in 2010 from 43 per cent in 2003, which is much better than other South Asian countries.
The research project was conducted by WaterAid Bangladesh jointly with Practical Action Bangladesh and Faridpur Municipality at Faridpur to find sludge management solutions for rural and small town areas of Bangladesh. The research findings show that Faecal Sludge Management is doable, effective and affordable for high to low-income people without affecting the existing toilet technology.
The experts noted human waste materials can easily be co-composted to form a safe and stable soil conditioner for use in agriculture, which has also potential to generate revenue from sale of compost and provision of a sludge removal service.
WaterAid Bangladesh Country Representative Dr Khairul Islam said one of the Millennium Development Goals of Bangladesh was to provide sanitation for 100 per cent population by 2015.
"Although significant progress has taken place, it will be a challenge for the government to keep the achievement in track without ensuring safe management of human sludge," he added.
