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Disclaimer
The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
supporting partner organisations.
Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation
and the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and
the suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with
respect to the results that may be obtained from the use of the information provided.
Contents
1. Concept
2. How can Drying Beds Optimise SSWM
3. Design Principals
4. Treatment Efficiency
5. Operation and Maintenance
6. Applicability
7. Pros’ and Cons’
8. References
1. Concept
Background
1. Concept
What is a Sludge Drying Bed ?
Sludge drying beds are one of the simplest and oldest techniques for
sludge dewatering. (SANIMAS 2005)
They are impermeable beds filled with different layers of gravel and
sand.
Draining pipes are in incorporated in the bottom of the beds.
Sludge is applied in layers on the top gravel beds.
Drying is achieved by evaporation and gravity percolation. In planted
drynge bed, the removal of humidity is enhanced by evapotranspiration.
Dried sludge is not stabilised, but additional composting (e.g. co-
composting) will allow to recycle nutrients and organic matter into
agriculture.
The effluent (percolate) that is collected in the drainage pipes must be
treated correctly.
1. Concept
What is a Sludge Drying Bed ?
Faecal Sludge
Conveyance
Septic tank
Sludge drying beds
Biogas plants
Latrines
http://whrefresh.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/potato_field.j
Trickling filters pg [Accessed: 10.06.2010]
inflow
gas
manholes
Co-composting
scum outflow
sludge
Anaerobic baffled
Aqua priviy reactor Fertiliser for
agriculture
Sludge Drying Beds 6
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1. Concept
The Role of Sludge Drying Bed in Faecal Sludge Management
1. Concept
What is a Sludge Drying Bed ?
Planted Unplanted
Sludge drying beds can be
• Unplanted
• Planted
Unplanted sludge drying beds Source: STRAUSS & MONTANEGRO 2004
1. Concept
Examples: Unplanted Drying Bed
1. Concept
Examples: Planted Drying Bed
1. Concept
Examples
Covered
sludge drying
bed at the
Arcata
wastewater
treatment
plant (USA) http://www.humboldt.edu/arcatamarsh/compost.html
Unplanted
drying bed at
a waste
stabil- isation
pond (WSP)
site in
Colombia. Source: IRC (2004) Source: EAWAG/SANDC (2008)
1. Concept
Examples
fertiliser.
Lettuce farm fertilised with compost
at Gyenyasi farmers association in
Kumasi.
Sludge Drying Beds 13
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3. Design Principals
Basics
Treatment objective:
Separation of solid from the liquid fraction of faecal sludge.
Similar treatment options: sedimentation/thickening ponds
Pre-treatments: Latrines, septic tanks, aqua privies, anaerobic baffled
reactors, biogas reactors, trickling filters, activated sludge, etc.
Post-treatment: Co-composting in order to transform it into fertiliser
Main-components:
• Impermeable shallow pond
• Drainage pipes in the bottom (perforated PVC pipes or hollow
blocks)
• Different layers of coarse gravel, gravel, sand
• Slightly sloped surface for drainage (1:20) (STRAUSS & MONTANEGRO 2004)
3. Design Principals
Percolate Drainage
3. Design Principals
Application: Once a week; Desludging: every 5 to 6 years (STRAUSS & MONTANGERO 2002
Achieved drying: 40 to 70 % TS (STRAUSS & MONTANGERO 2002)
3. Design Principals
Health aspects
Dewatered sludge is still infectious; Additional composting of dried
sludge in heaps or wind-rows will further stabilise recycled organic
materials. (SANIMAS 2005)
6. Applicability
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
• Easy to operate • Requires large land area
• Dried sludge can be composted • Re-use or treatment of seepage
and used as fertiliser water required
8. References
BALASUBRAMANIYAM, U., ZISENGWE, L.S., MERIGGI, N., BUYSMAN, E. (2008): Biogas Production in Climates with long cold
Winters. Wageningen: Wageningen University Available at: http://www.wecf.eu/english/publications/2008/biogas-
coldclimates.php [Accessed: 20.04.2010]
EAWAG/SANDEC (2008): Fecal Sludge Management. Lecture notes. (=Sandec Training Tool 1.0, Module 5). Duebendorf: Swiss
Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC)
EAWAG/SANDEC (2008): Fecal Sludge Management. Presentation. (=Sandec Training Tool 1.0, Module 5). Duebendorf: Swiss
Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC)
ERIKSEN-HAMEL, N.S., DANSO, G. (2008): Urban Compost: A Socio-economic and Agronomic Evaluation in Kumasi, Ghana in
REDWOOD, M. (ed) (2008): Agriculture in Urban Planning: Generating Livelihoods and Food Security. Earthscan/IDRC. Available
at: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-135127-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
SANIMAS (2005): Informed Choice Catalogue. PPT-Presentation. remen Overseas Research and Development Agency (BORDA) and
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
SASSE, L. (1998): DEWATS Decentralised Wastewater Treatment in Developing Countries. Bremen: Bremen Overseas Research and
Development Association (BORDA) Available at: http://www.borda-
net.org/modules/wfdownloads/uploads/062%20BORDA_Dewats-Handbook.pdf [Accessed: 27.05.2010]
STRAUSS, M., MONTANEGRO, A. (2002): FS Management – Review of Practices, Problems and Initiatives. London and Duebendorf:
DFID Project R8056, Capacity Building for Effective Decentralised Wastewater Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic
Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC). Available at:
http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/schwerpunkte/ewm/fsm/index_EN [Accessed: 10.06.2010]
STRAUSS, M., MONTANEGRO, A. (2004): Fecal Sludge Treatment, Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG),
Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC). Available at:
http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/schwerpunkte/ewm/fsm/index_EN [Accessed: 10.06.2010]
TILLEY, E., LUETHI, C., MOREL, A., ZURBRUEGG, C., SCHERTENLEIB, R. (2008): Compendium of Sanitation Systems and
Technologies. Duebendorf and Geneva: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG) & Water Supply and Sanitation
Collaborative Council (WSSCC) Available at:
http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/publikationen/compendium_e/index_EN Accessed: 09.04.2010]
WAaF (2002) Sanitation Technology Options. Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (WAaF) Available at:
http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd66/Technical.pdf [Accessed: 27.05.2010]
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