A Rapid Assessment of Septage Management in Asia: Policies and Practices in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam

According to the WHO/ UNICEF 2008 Joint Monitoring Program, urban access to improved sanitation has risen to 57 and 78 percent in South Asia and Southeast Asia, respectively, due in large part to investments in onsite sanitation systems such as septic tanks and pour-flush latrines. However, the management of onsite sanitation remains a neglected component of urban sanitation and wastewater management. Only recently have national governments, cities, and wastewater utilities begun to address the management of septage, or the sludge that accumulates inside septic tanks. Rather, most sanitation programs have focused on toilet installation and sewerage development, viewing onsite sanitation as an informal, temporary form of infrastructure. As a result, septic tanks and latrines in urban areas have become major sources of groundwater and surface water pollution, with significant environmental, public health, and economic impacts.
  
To better understand the status of septage management policy and practice in Asia, Environmental Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia), a regional program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), conducted a rapid assessment of septage management in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. This assessment report summarizes the institutional and infrastructure capacity of these countries to manage septage, identifies the common challenges that prevent better service provision, and provides recommendations for program improvements based on good practices across the region. Given the prevailing focus on physical infrastructure in this field, this report focuses principally on the enabling conditions that help cities better manage septage, including private sector participation and stakeholder awareness.

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
Acknowledgments
Glossary
Acronyms

Introduction

Overview of Septage Management

Regional Challenges and Good Practices

Regional Recommendations and Opportunities

Country Assessment
-    Country Assessment: India
-    Country Assessment: Indonesia
-    Country Assessment: Malaysia
-    Country Assessment: The Philippines
-    Country Assessment: Sri Lanka
-    Country Assessment: Thailand
-    Country Assessment: Vietnam

List of Tables

List of Figures

Post Date : 05 Agustus 2010