Absence of faecal sludge management shatters the gains of improved sanitation coverage in Bangladesh

In recent years, Bangladesh has managed to achieve a significant reduction of open defecation although still about half the population in the country do not have access to improved sanitation. In absence of any sewerage system, the predominant onsite technologies has created a new challenge of faecal sludge management that is still a ‘never thought of’ agenda at the policy level. This study in three cities of Bangladesh is part of a multi country study in Asia and Africa which shows that in absence of any safe emptying, transportation, dumping and treatment mechanism most of the sludge generated are going again to the surface water that ultimately shatter the gains achieved through increase sanitation coverage. Most septic tanks or pits in the cities require emptying which is mostly done by the manual sweepers. On the other hand, except Dhaka, no cities have any designated dumping site or treatment plant for faecal sludge. Consequently, manual sweepers dump the sludge in nearby open drain or water-body. In Dhaka too, most safety tanks and pits are connected directly with the drainage system linked to open water body within the city or outside. This practice ultimately regenerates the risks of faecal matter re-enter into the domestic environment. Poorer groups who mostly dwell in unsafe environment are most sufferer of this; however, the risk remains also high for those who practice safe sanitation. [authors abstract]