About this course: Do you want learn how to apply concepts of sustainable faecal sludge management (FSM) on a city-wide scale? This course starts with an overview of what faecal sludge is and an introduces you to the engineering fundamentals and required information for the design and selection of technologies. Sanitation solutions are prone to failure if an integrated planning approach that includes stakeholder involvement and the development of appropriate institutional, management and financial arrangements is not implemented. The course therefore dedicates a complete week to presenting the full picture, in addition to technology, that needs to be considered for sustainable solutions. It concludes with a focus on current research and innovations in technologies, to provide an understanding of the most up-to-date options. This course is one of four in the series “Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development".
Who is this class for: This course is an introduction – the only requirements are an Internet connection and an interest in the topic. A general background in environmental or civil engineering, urban planning or geography would help to fully benefit from this course.
Created by: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Taught by: Dr. Linda Strande, Group leader
Management of Excreta, Wastewater and Sludge (MEWS), Eawag-Sandec
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 4-6 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: French, Spanish |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
An introduction to faecal sludge management
This first week of this course includes an overview of what faecal sludge is, and the importance of an integrated approach to faecal sludge management. It provides an introduction to what is currently lacking, weak links in the service chain, and also presents positive examples of what is working.
8 videos, 5 readings
- Video: Trailer - Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management
- Reading: About the course
- Reading: Further reading
- Reading: How to use the forum
- Video: 1.1 Course Overview
- Video: 1.2 The Global Situation
- Video: 1.3 Sanitation research in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Video: 1.4 Systems Based Approach
- Video: 1.5 What is faecal sludge?
- Video: 1.6 What is working?
- Video: 1.7 Wrap-up
- Reading: Further reading - Week 1
- Reading: Slides - Week 1
WEEK 2
Overview of fundamentals for design and selection of treatment technologies
The second week of this course is based on an integrated engineering design approach, and will introduce fundamentals and required information for the design and selection of technologies, including objectives, mechanisms, quantification and characterization. It also includes the collection and transport of faecal sludge to treatment.
8 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 2.1 Treatment Objectives
- Video: 2.2 Overview of Treatment Mechanisms
- Video: 2.3 Resource recovery
- Video: 2.4 Market-driven approach to select treatment products
- Video: 2.5 Characterization
- Video: 2.6 Quantification
- Video: 2.7 Collection and transport technologies
- Video: 2.8 Wrap-up
- Reading: Further reading - Week 2
- Reading: Slides - Week 2
Graded: Week 1&2
WEEK 3
Treatment technologies for faecal sludge
The third week of this course focuses on engineering aspects of how to size and properly operate treatment technologies.
9 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 3.1 Overview of treatment technologies
- Video: 3.2 Settling-thickening tanks
- Video: 3.3 Unplanted drying beds
- Video: 3.4 Planted Drying Beds
- Video: 3.5 Co-composting
- Video: 3.6 Co-treatment with Wastewater
- Video: 3.7 Effluent treatment technologies
- Video: 3.8 Design example of a treatment plant
- Video: 3.9 Wrap-up
- Reading: Further reading - Week 3
- Reading: Slides - Week 3
Graded: Week 3
WEEK 4
Integrated approach to faecal sludge management
Sanitation solutions do not rely on technology alone, and are prone to failure if an integrated planning approach that includes stakeholder involvement and the development of appropriate institutional, management and financial arrangements is not implemented. Presented in week 4 is the full picture, in addition to technology, that needs to be considered for sustainable solutions.
8 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 4.1 Integrated planning approach
- Video: 4.2 Assessment of the Initial situation
- Video: 4.3 Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement
- Video: 4.4 Institutional Frameworks
- Video: 4.5 Financial transfers and flows models
- Video: 4.6 Operation and maintenance of treatment plans
- Video: 4.7 Engineering Economics
- Video: 4.8 Wrap-up
- Reading: Further reading - Week 4
- Reading: Slides - Week 4
Graded: Week 4
WEEK 5
Innovations in faecal sludge management
Faecal sludge management is a relatively new and rapidly growing field. As a result, many solutions are not yet fully developed, which has to be carefully considered in technology implementation. Week 5 will focus on current research and innovations in technologies, to provide an understanding of the most up-to-date options, and what needs to be considered for further development and implementation.
9 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 5.1 Innovations in collection
- Video: 5.2 Innovations In transport
- Video: 5.3 Innovations in anaerobic digestion
- Video: 5.4 Innovations in conditioning
- Video: 5.5 Innovations in solid fuels
- Video: 5.6 Innovations in vermi and fly larvae composting
- Video: 5.7 Innovations in ammonia and lime treatment
- Video: 5.8 Innovative, adaptive and integrated case Study of Durban
- Video: 5.9 The Way Forward
- Reading: Further reading - Week 5
- Reading: Slides - Week 5
Graded: Final exam
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Ratings and Reviews
I really liked this course! I think Linda Strande and her team have done a great job at presenting the most up to date knowledge about faecal sludge management.
I can only recommend everyone interested to participate in this course!
Excellent
Un excelente curso
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2017 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
very interesting and enjoyable view of the topic