JICA initiates new faecal sludge management improvement project

The JICA is set to initiate a new technical cooperation project early next year to support Sri Lanka to improve faecal sludge management.

A Record Discussion of this project was concluded between Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Labour Ministry Secretary S. Alokabandara and Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office Yamada Tetsuya recently.

Currently, Sri Lanka faces various challenges related to fecal sludge management. Due to limited fecal sludge treatment plants, gully bowser disposes sludge to the open environment, which leads to environment degradation and threatens public health. Fecal sludge collected is not treated as a reusable resource on most occasions, although mixing this waste can be effective to facilitate beneficial use of biosolids for sustainable agriculture due to the lack of standards and technical capacities.

This four-year project, entitled ‘Project for Improvement of Faecal Sludge Management’ aims to improve sustainable systems for fecal sludge management and biosolids production adapted to local and municipal conditions. The project plans to support in managing fecal sludge service chains and produce biosolids according to the developed technical guideline in selected Local Authorities, in drafting standard on biosolids production, and in disseminating relevant by-laws on sustainable fecal sludge management for Local Authorities.

The JICA has been cooperating with Sri Lanka in waste management for more than 20 years. In addition to the contributions to sanitation and environment protection, this project will also contribute to Sri Lanka’s next efforts toward a circular economy by exploring the possibility of producing biosolids from fecal sludges in a safe manner.

Source:Daily news