Waste Management
According to WHO, poor waste disposal practices are responsible for a significant proportion of the world's infectious disease burden. In many areas, municipal sewage is often mixed with industrial waste and in some regions very little wastewater receives treatment before it is discharged into the environment. Resources available in this sub-theme include assessment reports of wastewater treatment plants, national strategies for sewage disposal, among other resources that support sustainable waste management.
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Waste Management Resources
Water for the World: Designing a Composting System
U.S. Agency for International Development
A composting system is a means of turning garbage, animal manure, other organic wastes, and in some cases, excreta, into compost. This technical note describes how to design a composing system and arrive at the essential end-products.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Cesspools
U.S. Agency for International Development
A cesspool is a covered pit with open-joint walls that receives piped sewage. The solids settle to the bottom and the effluent passes through the walls into the surrounding soil. This technical note describes how to construct a cesspool.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Methods of Combined Washwater and Excreta Disposal
U.S. Agency for International Development
Combining excreta and washwater disposal in a single system is an efficient and safe method of disposal that prevents the spread of disease. This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the types of combined disposal and effective methods.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Subsurface Absorption Systems
U.S. Agency for International Development
A subsurface absorption system is a trench, series of trenches, field or pit that receives effluent from a septic tank and allows it to soak safely into the ground. This technical note describes each step in constructing an absorption system.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Determining Soil Suitability
U.S. Agency for International Development
Determining soil suitability for disposal of excreta, washwater, sewage or sewage effluent is important because some soils cannot safely be used for disposal systems. This guide provides an overview of determining soil suitability for waste management.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing Mechanically Aerated Lagoons
U.S. Agency for International Development
A mechanically aerated lagoon is similar to a stabilization pond except that it is equipped with one or more electrically powered aerators that treat effluent by mixing it with air. This technical note describes how to construct a mechanically aerated lagoon.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Designing Cesspools
U.S. Agency for International Development
A cesspool is a covered pit with open-joint walls that receives piped sewage. The solids settle to the bottom and the effluent passes through the walls into the surrounding soil. This technical note describes how to design a cesspool and arrive at the end products.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating and Maintaining Aqua Privies
U.S. Agency for International Development
An aqua privy is an underground watertight vault filled with water that receives excreta and washwater from a drop-pipe, allows solids to settle to the bottom, and discharges effluent to a soakage pit. This technical note describes how to operate and maintain an aqua privy.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Methods of Solid Waste Management
U.S. Agency for International Development
The methods of solid waste management described in this technical note are landfill, composting and biogas systems. A solid waste collection system must go along with all three management methods. All these methods can be built and operated using locally available materials.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Designing Non-Conventional Absorption Disposal Systems
U.S. Agency for International Development
Non-conventional absorption disposal systems have been developed for soil conditions where absorption is slow and slight, or where ground water is close to the ground surface. This technical note describes the elements involved in designing non-conventional absorption systems.Read more
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