Recent Posts - SuSanA Forum https://forum.susana.org Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:48:49 +0200 SuSanA Forum en-gb Webinar: Understanding WASH Challenges at the Urban Fringe - by: harsh https://forum.susana.org/285-advocacy/26427-webinar-understanding-wash-challenges-at-the-urban-fringe#35876 https://forum.susana.org/285-advocacy/26427-webinar-understanding-wash-challenges-at-the-urban-fringe#35876 Registration Link
 For more inforamation
Understanding WASH Challenges at the Urban Fringe
Rapid urbanisation is reshaping our cities—but what about those living at the urban fringe?These areas face unique and often overlooked WASH challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure to widening inequalities and increasing climate vulnerabilities.Did you know?While urban areas may show higher overall coverage, deep inequalities persist, leaving the most vulnerable populations without access to safe water and sanitation.Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in collaboration with Tata Trusts, invites you to a webinar to explore and understand the kind of challenges WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) systems face in villages that have recently transitioned to urban administration.CSE has done a study on the recently incorporated peri-urban areas of Bijnor city in Uttar Pradesh – the learn- ings that have emerged from this study, especially with respect to governance and economic factors influencing service delivery, will be the basis of the discussions in the webinar.As cities expand, peri-urban areas transition from rural to urban governance systems, often resulting in gaps in WASH planning, infrastructure development, service provision and institutional coordination. Using Bijnor as the case study, the webinar will explore the impacts of municipal expansion on water supply, sanitation, stormwater management, and service equity in newly added urban areas. The discussion will also highlight governance and planning dynamics shaping peri-urban transitions, identify key implementation challenges, and outline pathways towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable WASH service delivery during urban growth.]]> Advocacy and events on WASH & Nutrition Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:47:35 +0200 Aeration/Activated Sludge for FSM Sand Bed Effluent – Any Experience? - by: kharallaxman https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26426-aeration-activated-sludge-for-fsm-sand-bed-effluent-any-experience#35875 https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26426-aeration-activated-sludge-for-fsm-sand-bed-effluent-any-experience#35875 Health issues and connections with sanitation Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:47:26 +0200 UNICEF is recruiting a Global Sanitation Lead (P5), Nairobi. - by: DaveTrouba https://forum.susana.org/20-jobs-consultancies-internships/26425-unicef-is-recruiting-a-global-sanitation-lead-p5-nairobi#35874 https://forum.susana.org/20-jobs-consultancies-internships/26425-unicef-is-recruiting-a-global-sanitation-lead-p5-nairobi#35874
UNICEF is recruiting a Global Sanitation Lead (P5), Nairobi. Rare chance to shape leadership on sanitation, MHH and WASH in schools.Deadline 10 April.An important role to help advance safely managed, climate-resilient sanitation for all.🔗  tinyurl.com/43a53e2z ]]> Jobs, consultancies, internships Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:50:19 +0200 Funding offer for dry toilet project - Offre de financement pour un projet de toilettes sèches - by: Chaiwe https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35872 https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35872
Whats a lovely opportunity. Thanx for sharing. 

I also found a link to the book here in Amazon: www.amazon.fr/petit-coin-pour-soulager-p...3%A8te/dp/2953087702 
It has some amazing reviews, and of course its about Toilets. Is there an English version available?

Kind regards,
Chaiwe]]> Miscellaneous - any other topic Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:55:13 +0100 Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) podcast examines the ‘wicked’ nature of poverty from a multi-dimensional perspective - by: Ekane https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26420-stockholm-environment-institute-sei-podcast-examines-the-wicked-nature-of-poverty-from-a-multi-dimensional-perspective#35868 https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26420-stockholm-environment-institute-sei-podcast-examines-the-wicked-nature-of-poverty-from-a-multi-dimensional-perspective#35868 Poverty is often tracked using the income threshold which is narrow and misses many critical dimensions. As a result, we often dodge the root causes of poverty and deal mainly with the symptoms which makes the problem insurmountable. Poverty is constructed and perpetuated at different levels of society by structural factors that can only be effectively analysed and understood by adopting a multi-dimensional perspective. 

In this podcast, Tracy Morse (University of Strathclyde), Dani Barrington (The University of Western Australia), Charmaine Caparas (Stockholm Environment Institute), and Nelson Ekane (Stockholm Environment Institute) examine the 'wicked' nature of poverty with examples from the water, sanitation and hygiene sector
open.spotify.com/episode/4poOMghgur4wuaudpMwRM3 
 www.sei.org/podcasts/multidimensional-poverty-environment-wash/  

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene services take a toll on human health, particularly among children under five years of age and the vulnerable in society. Poor health impairs the productive ability of people and keeps them away from school and work. This has implications for human and economic development and exacerbates poverty. This is articulated in Chapter 31 of the Routledge Handbook of Water and Development  www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-of-...p/book/9780367558772 ]]> Webinars and online meetings Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:13:20 +0100 Are there urine collection systems at a larger scale? - by: HAPitot https://forum.susana.org/175-urine-reuse-or-infiltration/26269-are-there-urine-collection-systems-at-a-larger-scale#35866 https://forum.susana.org/175-urine-reuse-or-infiltration/26269-are-there-urine-collection-systems-at-a-larger-scale#35866
I thought I leave you with some indication about my conclusions regarding the idea of recovering urine as a fertilizer in our region of Seesen/Harz in Germany.  The site visit of the water treatment facility has shown that phosphorous is already being recovered by precipitation and added to the sewage sludge.  The sludge is stabilized anaerobically and used by local farmers.  Nitrogen is gasified in a biological process, potassium is, for the most part, left in the water.

By contrast, it turns out that the Aurin fertilizer as sold in Switzerland is expensive, at least if compared with a comparable chemical fertilizer.  I don't think the situation would be fundamentally different if urine were collected in Germany in a commercial venture.  Since the local water treatment facility is currently working to the satisfaction of the town administration, there would only be limited synergies if urine was collected separately.  In addition, locals are not showing much interest in such an idea.

I think the situation would be different if a fertilizer like Aurin could be sold at a price that is lower than that of chemical fertilizer.  For that to happen, energy prices, in particular the price of natural gas, would have to go up significantly, since prices of chemical fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer in particular, should be strongly linked to energy prices.  As carbon taxes are slowly increasing the price of natural gas, there should, at some point in time, come a point were the price of a fertilizer like Aurin is becoming comparable to the one of chemical fertilizer.  It would be interesting to come up with a model that could predict at which price the production of a urine derived fertilizer will break even as energy prices are increasing.

Another problem is the current legislation in Germany about excreta derived fertilizers.  I'm not particularly well versed about this issue, but I understand that all you can do with urine under current legislation in Germany is to use it in you own garden.

Regards to everybody,
H-A]]> Urine reuse or infiltration Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:47:55 +0100 updated MOOCs on Solid Waste Management and Water Treatment - by: FabianSuter https://forum.susana.org/54-wg-1-capacity-development/26418-updated-moocs-on-solid-waste-management-and-water-treatment#35865 https://forum.susana.org/54-wg-1-capacity-development/26418-updated-moocs-on-solid-waste-management-and-water-treatment#35865 www.eawag.ch/mooc .

Solid Waste Management MOOC: Curious to see what happens when solid waste experts collaborate with AI avatars? The newly updated version includes practical insights on disposal site upgrading, gender and waste, waste reduction strategies, climate change, and solid waste management tools. Join more than 100,000 students and professionals worldwide who have already strengthened their expertise with our Solid Waste Management course. www.coursera.org/learn/solid-waste-management


Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage MOOC: In the new course version, we broaden the perspective from household water treatment to complete water supply systems. You will learn how different technologies are combined along the water chain and how functional groups help structure and compare water system designs. Join us to deepen your understanding of safe water solutions in a practical and engaging way.  www.coursera.org/learn/water-treatment/

StudentsatSomaliNationalUniversitylearningwiththeMOOCs.png
]]> Working Group 1 (Capacity development) Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:51:29 +0100 Polio Alert in Zambia: Protecting Our Children Through Vaccination and Vigilance - by: Kapaluseleji https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26417-polio-alert-in-zambia-protecting-our-children-through-vaccination-and-vigilance#35864 https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26417-polio-alert-in-zambia-protecting-our-children-through-vaccination-and-vigilance#35864
Regards  
Kapalu Seleji]]> Health issues and connections with sanitation Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:08:31 +0100 Funding offer for dry toilet project - Offre de financement pour un projet de toilettes sèches - by: Chris https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35863 https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35863
For 20 years, the profits from the sale of Christophe Elain's book, "Un petit coin pour soulager la planète," funded the construction of dry toilets for disadvantaged populations in various countries around the world. With the book now nearly sold out, the remaining profits are
available to finance one final dry toilet project. As with previous projects, this must be a small-scale project conceived, designed, and
implemented by the local community or a local organization with limited financial resources.
Les bénéfices dela vente du livre de Christophe Elain - « Un petit coin pour soulager la planète » ont permis pendant 20 ans de financer la
construction de toilettes sèches pour des populations défavorisées dans différents pays du monde. Le livre étant maintenant quasiment
épuisé les bénéfices restants sont disponibles pour financer un dernier projet de quelques toilettes sèches. Comme pour les projets précédents, il doit s’agir d’un petit projet décidé, conçuet réalisé par la population locale ou une organisation locale ayant peu de moyens financiers.

Contact :Christophe Elain  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]]> Miscellaneous - any other topic Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:27:43 +0100 Characterisation of Faecal Sludge from Different Nature-Based Treatment Processes for Agricultural Application - by: ddiba https://forum.susana.org/17-fertiliser-soil-conditioner-production-of-crops/26365-characterisation-of-faecal-sludge-from-different-nature-based-treatment-processes-for-agricultural-application#35857 https://forum.susana.org/17-fertiliser-soil-conditioner-production-of-crops/26365-characterisation-of-faecal-sludge-from-different-nature-based-treatment-processes-for-agricultural-application#35857 Thank you for sharing this very timely and policy-relevant study. It is an important contribution, especially given the current gap in India-specific standards for treated faecal sludge. The finding that most samples already comply with Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) thresholds is particularly valuable for informing pragmatic, near-term pathways for safe agricultural reuse.

I wanted to ask whether the specific FCO provisions you refer to are publicly available as formal standards or guidelines that could be directly referenced and used by practitioners, and whether there are any additional India-specific guidelines, draft standards, or certification schemes under development that you would recommend. We are actively curating standards, certifications, and quality assurance resources in the Resource Recovery Toolbox  and would be very keen to add relevant FCO documents, guidance, or case studies from India to support wider uptake and comparability across contexts.
So far, we have relevant standardization and certification resources such as; But we are keen to add more to our expanding toolbox. 

Kind regards,
Daniel]]> Fertiliser, soil conditioner, production of crops Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:51:36 +0100 Future-Proofing WASH: How? - by: MaryMwenya https://forum.susana.org/178-resilience-issues-in-connection-with-climate-change-flooding-risk-reduction/26381-future-proofing-wash-how#35856 https://forum.susana.org/178-resilience-issues-in-connection-with-climate-change-flooding-risk-reduction/26381-future-proofing-wash-how#35856
Climate change is hitting communities hard, and this really shows how urgent it is to rethink water and sanitation. 

 I love that this study focuses on solutions that are practical, community-driven, and inclusive. I’d also love to see more young people in Zambia stepping in, bringing energy and fresh ideas to help build WASH systems that actually last and protect people.

Regards,
Mary]]> Resilience and risk reduction Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:26:58 +0100 Strengthening Rural Sanitation: An Evaluation of Zambia’s Community-Led Total Sanitation Program - by: MaryMwenya https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26379-strengthening-rural-sanitation-an-evaluation-of-zambia-s-community-led-total-sanitation-program#35855 https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26379-strengthening-rural-sanitation-an-evaluation-of-zambia-s-community-led-total-sanitation-program#35855
Its Great seeing how Zambia’s CLTS program is making real change on the ground  It’s awesome to see communities taking charge, building toilets, and creating open defecation-free villages. The focus on behaviour change and collective responsibility really shows that sanitation isn’t just about infrastructure it’s about people and habits

I would love to see more young people in Zambia getting involved, leading sanitation initiatives, and driving behaviour change in their communities. With their energy and creativity, we could take these gains even further and make lasting impact.


 Regards,
Mary]]> Health issues and connections with sanitation Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:25:24 +0100 The Garima Story: Sanitation Work with Safety and Dignity in Urban Odisha - by: MaryMwenya https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26354-the-garima-story-sanitation-work-with-safety-and-dignity-in-urban-odisha#35854 https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26354-the-garima-story-sanitation-work-with-safety-and-dignity-in-urban-odisha#35854
The Garima Programme is truly inspiring. It’s amazing to see how sanitation work can be done with dignity, safety, and real support for the workers. Things like training, social protection, and emergency response units show what’s possible when people are put first.

In Zambia, many sanitation workers face tough and unsafe conditions every day. Programs like Garima give us real ideas on how we could do better protecting workers, valuing their skills, and making sanitation work sustainable for everyone.

Regards 
Mary]]> Equity, dignity, caste and gender aspects for sanitation workers Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:32:35 +0100 How Learning Alliances Are Transforming WASH Innovation A Fresh Look at How We Learn - by: MaryMwenya https://forum.susana.org/196-capacity-development/26345-how-learning-alliances-are-transforming-wash-innovation-a-fresh-look-at-how-we-learn#35853 https://forum.susana.org/196-capacity-development/26345-how-learning-alliances-are-transforming-wash-innovation-a-fresh-look-at-how-we-learn#35853
This really speaks to a challenge many of us in WASH have seen firsthand. So many good ideas don’t fail because they’re wrong, but because they’re developed in isolation and treated like one-off projects.

This piece nicely captures why Learning Alliances matter they keep learning alive even after the project phase.I especially appreciate the focus on reflection, honest conversations, and learning from what doesn’t work. That’s where real, lasting change comes from. When people learn together, solutions become stronger, more relevant, and easier to sustain.

A timely and thoughtful reminder that innovation grows through people, not just technologies

Regards
Mary]]> Capacity development Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:01:26 +0100 SFD Lite Report of Guwahati (Assam, India) - by: MaryMwenya https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/26342-sfd-lite-report-of-guwahati-assam-india#35852 https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/26342-sfd-lite-report-of-guwahati-assam-india#35852
Congratulations on the release of the SFD Lite Report for Guwahati, developed with support from UNICEF Assam and published by SuSanA. The report offers a clear, evidence-based snapshot of how sanitation is actually working in the city and where it needs urgent attention.

It reinforces that sanitation is not just about infrastructure, but about public health, water security, environmental protection, and climate resilience. This SFD provides a strong starting point for informed action and smarter sanitation planning in Guwahati.Well done to everyone involved.

Regards,
Mary]]> Shit flow diagrams (SFDs) / Excreta flow diagrams Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:25:19 +0100