Visited Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at Lubhu on WASH FORUM Reloaded

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
-Ms. Janaki Shrestha, Member, Paschim Paaila Batch III

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO has been organizing WASH Forum Reloaded (WFR), an interaction, knowledge sharing and idea generating program, every month. On 28^th February, 4^th Series of WASH Forum Reloaded on “Faecal Sludge Treatment for Ecological Sanitation and Resource Recovery” was organized with a visit at Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at Lubhu, Lalitpur. This series of FOURM was organized with an objective to share knowledge and sensitize youths on recovery of waste as resources and to provide learning platform for youths on FSM as entrepreneurship opportunity.

Mr. Surya Prasad Ghimire, Incharge and care taker of FSTP, Lubhu facilitated to share about the information on establishment, partner organization, working mechanism, advantage and existing challenges and functionality of the system during with the visit at site. This treatment plant shows the circle “Table to Toilet, Toilet to Table”.

The treatment plant was constructed by ENPHO in support of BORDA in collaboration with Saligrahm Balgriha and Mahalaxmi Municipality. The treatment plant have capacity to treat 2 tank/week of sludge. Treated sludge gives three products as resources i.e. biogas, treated wastewater and manure. Saligrahm Balgriha have been using treated wastewater and manure in the farmland to produce vegetables which is provided to children at Balgriha. As mentioned by Mr. Ghimire, the vegetables and manure is produced in good amount and thus they have also been able to sell it. Moreover, biogas has been produced enough to cook food to family of Mr. Ghimire living in the site. However, plastics and inorganic materials present in sludge brought to treatment plant sometimes causes problem in the treatment plant.

Ms. Ranju Yadav, participants of WFR said “I found the FORUM very interesting with interaction and demonstration and I am willing to attend upcoming series of WFR”. Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila closed the program with vote of thanks to facilitator and participants. Altogether 16 youths from various educational background such as environmental science, public health and social work from different institution attended the program.

Celebrated World Toilet Day 2019

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Globally, November 19 is celebrated as World Toilet Day to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Since 2013, the United Nations has observed November 19 as World Toilet Day to draw the world's attention to the importance of accessible toilets and their role in improving hygiene and health around the world.  The theme for this year’s World Toilet Day was “Leaving No One Behind”. Based on this theme, ENPHO and Paschim Paaila celebrated World Toilet Day organizing events solely and in collaboration with Guthi, WaterAid Nepal, KMC and other organizations to raise awareness and mark the day.

The event included Toilet Walk-a-thon and Exhibition. Toilet Walk-a-thon was organized  in collaboration with GUTHI, WaterAid Nepal and other organization whereas Exhibition was organized by ENPHO and Paschim Paaila.

Event Highlights:

1  1. Toilet Walk-a-thon: In support of WaterAid Nepal, GUTHI in collaboration with KMC, Paschim Paaila, ENPHO and other 13 organizations and academics like UEMS, Autism Care Nepal, Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University organized Toilet Walk-a-thon on 19 November, 2019 on the occasion of World Toilet Day to advocate for better public toilets and safely managed sanitation. The route of Toilet Walk-a-thon covered 8 public toilets started from Bhrikuti Mandap and ended at Basantapur.

More than 300 people including youths, WASH professionals and practitioners, political leaders, government officials and media personal became a part of the rally. A mobile toilet led the rally which became center of attraction for the public. Former Environment Minister Ganesh Shah insisted that Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) should now come into consideration with safe and clean public toilets during closing remarks of the event.

2. Exhibition: An exhibition stall was placed near the public toilet opposite of Bir Hospital to aware and share information related to Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) to general public on 19 November, 2019. The message related to FSM was shared displaying various information, education and communication (IEC) materials which included posters, leaflets, booklets, manuals and case studies. A model of FSM was displayed in the stall which remained main attraction for visitors. Also the result of KAP survey was disseminated in the stall. More than 350 general public visited the exhibition stall.

KAP Survey on Faecal Sludge Management

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Globally, 4.2 billion people still live without "safely managed sanitation" and around 673 million people practice open defecation. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to achieve sanitation for all and end open defecation.

Aligning with an aim of SDG 6, Government of Nepal have declared Nepal as Open Defecation Free (ODF) nation on September 30, 2019 making the first ODF nation in South Aisa. However, safely managed sanitation remains a challenge after the declaration. Despite having latrines in each household (HHs) of Nepal, generated faecal sludge and its safe disposal has yet to come in concern for all.

To assess the public understanding on Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), ENPHO and Paschim Paaila conducted Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey on 16 and 17 November, 2019 in Kathmandu Valley. Data from 1091 random pedestrians was collected from Ratnapark, Lagankhel and Suryabinayak in Kathmandu Valley.

51 percent of the responsents said that they have knowledge on FSM. Amongst them, 84 percent said that they know about the impact of Faecal Sludge (FS) on health, 11 percent were unsure and 4 percent were unaware about its health impact. Likewise, amongst the respondents having knowledge on FSM, 78 percent said that FS can be treated, and 83 percent are willing to pay for treatment of FS.

Furthermore, 73 percent of the total respondents have knowledge that FS are being disposed into the river for its management.

Additionally, 64 percent respondent had connection of their toilet with the sewerage line while 35 percent had the septic tanks and remaining 1 percent had other containments such as pit and biogas production system within their household. Amongst the septic tank users have not emptied the septic tank since its use.

While safe collection and proper treatment of faecal sludge is crucial, it is equally vital to create public awareness and capacitate local service providers to increase safe practice of faecal sludge management. This study indicates that still clear understanding on FSM including local capacity building on proper faecal sludge management, its regulation and monitoring are essential so as to support and improve existing FSM practice in the community.

Celebrated World Water Day 2019

WASH Mela and Awareness Campaign

ENPHO and Paschim Paaila, on the occasion of World Water Day 2019, organized ‘WASH Mela and Awareness Camapaign’ at Barahatal Rural Municipality and Bheriganga Municipality, Surkhet from 18-22 March, 2019. The program was organized in collaboration with the project WASH SDG Nepal Implementation with support of WASH Alliance International (WAI). Five active volunteers of Paschim Paaila from Kathmandu were engaged for the program.

March 18, 2019-WASH Mela Stall at Baddichaur, Barahatal Rural Municipality

On the first day of week-long program, a stall was placed at Baddichaur of Barahatal Rural Municipality, Surkhet delivering information on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) with the key messages on use of safe water and sanitation. In stall, models of Eco-San toilet and rainwater harvesting were displayed along with posters and flyers. During the stall placement, volunteers also performed Flash Mob to attract the mass.

More than 52 community people along with Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Chief Administration officer, Ward President of Barahatal Rural Municipality of Ward -5 and government official visited the stall.

March 19, 2019-Orientation at School and Door to Door visit

On Second day, an orientation program at Jana Jyoti Secondary School and door to door visit campaign was organized. The orientation program was organized as basic WASH orientation program for students of class four and five and orientation on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) for students of class eight. Altogther 50 students participated on basic WASH orientation program and 50 students participated on MHM.

Apart from orientation at school, door to door visit campaign was organized to disseminate knowledge on WASH at households of Baddichaur, Barahatal Rural Municipality. More than 100 general public were oriented reaching about 22 households in the areas of Vyakune, Apaane and Saal ghari.

March 21, 2019- WASH Mela Stall at Jaghare, Bheriganga Municipality

On fourth day, WASH Mela stall was placed at Jaghare of Bheriganga Municipality. The WASH Mela stall focused on delivering the message on water purification options, importance of handwashing, models of rainwater harvesting and Eco-San toilet similar to the stall placement at Baddichaur. More than 80 general public visited the stall including women, children and old people. As feedback provided by participants of WASH Mela, the information disseminated were very fruitful as they still lacked knowledge on need of water purification for clean water to make it safe that could prevent them from diarrheal diseases.

March 22, 2019- WASH Mela Stall at Chhinchu Bazar, Bheriganga Municipality

On fifth day, WASH Mela stall was placed at Chinchu bazar of Bheriganga Municipality. General public were informed about WASH Mela stall through miking and door to door visit. Similar to fourth day, message related to water purification options, importance of handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, rainwater harvesting and Eco-San toilet was disseminated. Apart from stall, general public were informed by visiting hotels, shops and bus stands. More than 150 people were disseminated information through the stall and visit at door step.

A week-long event and campaign helped to raise awareness among general public including children, women and old, and government officials. The program grabbed the attention of general public and government officials for improving WASH status and motivated to have to step forward for total sanitation status of the area.

Facebook Photo Competition

On the occasion of World Water Day- 2019, Paschim Paaila and ENPHO organized Facebook Photo Competition. The competition was organized with an objective to mark the World Water Day-2019 and to spread message about World Water Day to leave no one behind with management of faecal sludge management for safe water through photos on social media.

Paschim Paaila and ENPHO called for submission of Photos with appropriate caption on the Theme “LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND: FAECAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT FOR SAFE WATER” from 11 to 17 March, 2019. Selected 11 photos were shared on facebook of Paschim Paaila for competition of likes through 19 to 22 March, 2019. Three winners were selected from selected photos based on facebook likes and through judgment committee on 22 March, 2019.

The winners of Facebook Photo Competition are:

First Place- Ms. Deepkala Rai, Kepilashgadi, Khotang                                  

Do not let the slogan just remain on wall- proper manage of drainage along house is very essential.

                  Second Place Mr. Tarka Chalaune, Kamalbazar Municipality-5, Achham                         

Looking for Safe water through polluted source.

Third Place- Ms. Rita Malekar, Bholanchhen-6, Bhaktapur

If we disturb water cycle it will disturb our life cycle.

Youth WASH Concern Workshop-XV Series

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, President of Paschim Paaila as Resource Person

Youth WASH Concern Workshop (YWCW) is regular program of Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO to enhance capacity of youths in the WASH sector. This two days 15th “Youth WASH Concern Workshop - XV Series” was organized in the Thames International College, Old Baneshowr on 9 and 10 March, 2019. The main objective of the workshop was to capacitate youths as WASH ambassadors empowering with WASH knowledge and to take initiatives to sensitize community to become environmentally healthy. 

Participants of YWCW-XV Series

The workshop incorporated group activities and presentations from resource persons to improve knowledge and skills of participants to advocate to improve WASH status. The workshop integrated the components of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Fecal Sludge Management (FSM), Behavior Change Communication (BCC) and Emergency including basics of WASH such as status of WASH, drinking water treatment options, sanitation status and  policy and hygiene promotion.

Participants were provided with motivational session on Youth Leadership in WASH. At the end, participants also shared group-wise plans of actions as their initiatives as a WASH leader to promote the knowledge on WASH to the people of selected community/slum and students of school/college.

Altogether 19 active students of public health, environmental science, social work, development studies and civil engineering faculties attended the program.