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.

Waste Management Resources

Operating and Maintaining Aqua Privies

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
An aqua privy is an underground watertight vault filled with water that receives excreta and wash water from a drop-pipe, allows solids to settle to the bottom, and discharges effluent to a soakage pit. Maintaining a aqua privy involves keeping the liquid level at the flow line, cleaning the slab...Read more

Simple Methods of Washwater Disposal

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes three simple methods of wash water disposal: sump, soakage pit, and soakage trench.Read more

Designing Slabs for Privies

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a slab and arrive at specific end-products. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

Simple Methods of Excreta Disposal

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes five simple methods of excreta disposal: pit privy, pit privy with improvements, aqua privy, compost toilet, and bucket latrine.Read more

Designing a Landfill

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a landfill and arrive at the essential end-products. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

Water for the World: Methods of Controlling Onchocerciasis

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses the chain of transmission and suggests several ways to combat the spread of disease. Generally, the most effective methods of control involve the use of chemicals.Read more

Water for the World: Methods of Controlling Schistosomiasis

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note gives a brief description of schistosomiasis and discusses methods that should be taken to control its spread. Both environmental and chemical measures for controlling schistosomiasis are mentioned.Read more

Designing Aqua Privies

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design an aqua privy and arrive at three end products: (1) a location map, (2) design drawings of the aqua privy, and (3) a detailed materials list. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

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