Is the sanitation sector ready for the post 2015 goals? Lessons learnt from Zambia

The new post 2015 targets and indicators for sanitation pose a new challenge for the sector. Developing countries will have to achieve sanitation service provision which goes beyond access to a toilet and ensures the adequate management of excreta beyond the containment facility. To establish whether the sector is ready for such a challenge, this paper looks to draw upon research findings from informal settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The presentation will define factors which should be addressed that may directly impact on the achievement of the post 2015 indicators and how successfully they can be monitored

A novel, high-rate, anaerobic digester to treat high-solids waste ensuring reuse and good sanitation planning

A consortium of UK universities is working on developing a novel anaerobic digester that will treat pit latrine waste and transform it into a safe and valuable product. Physico-chemical characteristics of fresh human waste and pit latrine sludge are being determined. This is informing the development of a bioreactor containing biofilms, or slimes, of several microbial ‘trophic’ groups growing preferentially on distinct surfaces and materials. The ecologically-engineered bioreactor design will optimise the efficiency of the treatment and underpin successful digestion of high-solids waste. The potential use of the digestate will be reused in agriculture to recycle nutrients and prevent environmental, and watercourse pollution. Attitudes to sanitation, as well as to resource recovery from, and reuse of, waste, are being investigated so the participatory sanitation planning process can work effectively