About this Course

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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".

Learner Career Outcomes

15%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

15%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 21 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Bengali, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish, Hindi

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.8/5 (58 Ratings)

Dr. Linda Strande

Group leader

Management of Excreta, Wastewater and Sludge (MEWS), Eawag-Sandec

9,880 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

15%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

15%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 21 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Bengali, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish, Hindi

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating99%(2,460 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

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.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 70 min), 6 readings

8 videos

Trailer - Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management2m

1.1 Course Overview8m

1.2 The Global Situation8m

1.3 Sanitation research in Sub-Saharan Africa12m

1.4 Systems Based Approach10m

1.5 What is faecal sludge?8m

1.6 What is working?11m

1.7 Wrap-up6m

6 readings

Important information to succeed in this course10m

Week 2

4 hours to complete

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.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 63 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

2.1 Treatment Objectives7m

2.2 Overview of Treatment Mechanisms8m

2.3 Resource recovery8m

2.4 Market-driven approach to select treatment products9m

2.5 Characterization7m

2.6 Quantification8m

2.7 Collection and transport technologies7m

2.8 Wrap-up5m

2 readings

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Treatment technologies for faecal sludge

The third week of this course focuses on engineering aspects of how to size and properly operate treatment technologies.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 84 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

3.1 Overview of treatment technologies8m

3.2 Settling-thickening tanks8m

3.3 Unplanted drying beds9m

3.4 Planted Drying Beds9m

3.5 Co-composting10m

3.6 Co-treatment with Wastewater14m

3.7 Effluent treatment technologies9m

3.8 Design example of a treatment plant10m

3.9 Wrap-up4m

2 readings

Week 4

4 hours to complete

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.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 75 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

4.1 Integrated planning approach8m

4.2 Assessment of the Initial situation8m

4.3 Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement9m

4.4 Institutional Frameworks10m

4.5 Financial transfers and flows models10m

4.6 Operation and maintenance of treatment plans8m

4.7 Engineering Economics11m

4.8 Wrap-up6m

2 readings

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
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Introduction to Faecal Sludge Management