Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper
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Sanitation by-laws streamline faecal sludge management in Kushtia

Published : Saturday, 11 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 30
Staff Correspondent
Under the Local Government Act (Municipality) 2009, Kushtia Municipality has introduced the "Kushtia Municipality Sanitation By-laws 2020," setting a benchmark for discipline and innovation in faecal sludge management. To ensure the effective implementation of sanitation by-laws, the municipality has launched the Sanitation Vision 2027. 

This initiative has modernised the management of faecal sludge, eliminated municipal subsidies, and significantly increased revenue. The initiative also fosters environmental sustainability by producing organic fertilisers from processed faecal sludge and creating employment opportunities. 

Meanwhile, residential and commercial establishments in the municipality are adhering to the Bangladesh National Building Code for designing and constructing septic tanks. To ensure quality construction of septic tanks, Kushtia Municipality has enlisted building designers and masons and engaged them in the construction process. 

This ambitious endeavour is supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with technical assistance from SNV Netherlands Development Organization. Additionally, SNV continues to play a pivotal role in the development and implementation of by-laws by providing training, workshops, and ongoing technical support. Upon visiting the site, it was observed that under Section 122 of the Local Government Act (Municipality) 2009, Kushtia Municipality has enacted the "Kushtia Municipality Sanitation By-laws 2020." 

The aim of these by-laws is to provide sustainable and citizen-centred sanitation services to urban residents. As a result, faecal sludge management services have been privatised and commercialised. A private organisation, Chourhas Fulbari Kalyan Samiti (CFCS), has been appointed by the municipality to provide door-to-door faecal sludge collection services. 

Kushtia Municipality determined the fee for this service, considering lower fees for low-income communities. The collected sludge is transported to a treatment plant operated by Eras Venture, another municipality-approved private company. There, faecal sludge is processed into eco-friendly organic fertiliser and distributed across Kushtia and beyond. This system not only enhances environmental sustainability but also generates employment opportunities. It should be noted that the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) conducted two years of research and certified that this fertiliser is beneficial for soil and crops. 

A municipal official stated to the Daily Observer that previously, the municipality subsidised faecal sludge management services at a cost of approximately three lakh taka annually. With the introduction of the by-laws, these subsidies have been eliminated, and the municipality now earns revenue through its partnerships with private entities. The efficiency of the new system is evidenced by cases such as that of Rupa Khatun, a resident who applied for faecal sludge removal service on December 17. 

The following day, CFCS completed the task using an environmentally friendly mechanical method that minimised environmental disruption. CFCS Manager, Md. Anwar Hossain, stated, "under the agreement with the municipality, we're providing the faecal sludge management services to residents. CFCS pays a fixed fee to the municipality as per agreement, generating profit while maintaining affordability for residents." Service recipient Alimuzzaman Alim expressed satisfaction, noting that the modern system has replaced the reliance on sweepers, which previously led to unsanitary conditions and environmental pollution. 

He highlighted the convenience and cleanliness of the current approach, stating, "No one even notices when the septic tank is being emptied." At the treatment plant, sludge from across the city is processed into organic fertiliser through a systematic and eco-friendly process. 

The entire operation, managed by Eras Venture, supports environmental sustainability and meets the growing market demand for organic fertilisers. Isa Hossain, Director of Business Development at Eras Venture, told the Observer, "it is the benefits of the 'Kushtia Municipality Sanitation By-laws 2020' that have allowed us to be engaged in this municipal service." 

In compliance with the by-laws, Kushtia Municipality has enhanced public sanitation infrastructure, such as constructing public toilets at the Kushtia Central Bus Terminal. 

These facilities are designed to accommodate the requirements of women, men, and people with disabilities, offering essential amenities such as sanitary pad changing and purchasing options for women. The "Kushtia Municipality Sanitation By-laws 2020" opened windows for the municipality to provide innovative sanitation services to citizens. It exemplifies how public-private partnerships and innovative governance can transform inclusive urban sanitation. 



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