Project Reports

Fecal sludge and septage management is a critical priority for states and cities across India. Despite efforts, no city in India is fully sewered, making septage management an urgent need. The 2017 National Policy on FSSM highlighted the importance of addressing this issue.

Maharashtra is one of the pioneering states to have implemented FSSM across urban Maharashtra with adoption of systematic and innovative approaches.

RCUES of AIILSG, Mumbai along with UNICEF, Maharashtra with the support of the Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the Urban Development Department (UDD) and the Water Supply and Sanitation Department (WSSD), has developed an innovative package to implement urban-rural convergence (URC) in Fecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM). This package, comprising nine documents (eight modules and an introduction), is specifically designed to assist local governments in Maharashtra in effectively adopting and implementing URC in FSSM.

Background and Development

These modules were meticulously developed and updated based on the insights and feedback gathered from pilot regional training programs conducted across the state. The training programs were organized in partnership with UDD and WSSD, ensuring the modules are tailored to the needs and challenges faced by ULBs in Maharashtra.

Structure of the modules

The package consists of the following documents:

• Introduction to the Modules: An overview of the entire training package, outlining the purpose, scope, and intended outcomes.
• Module 1 – Moving Towards Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS) in Maharashtra to achieve SDG 6
• Module 2 – Concept, Scope, State Approach and Field Assessment.
• Module 3 – Technologies for FSSM Cost-effective, easy-to-operate and maintain technological options in FSSM.
• Module 4 – Indapur – Pilot Implementation of URC
• Module 5 – Ratnagiri – Pilot Rural Urban Convergence for FSSM in Ratnagiri District
• Module 6 – District Plan for FSSM
• Module 7 – Systematic approach towards URC
• Module 8 – Group work and activities

Focus and Importance

These modules represent a pioneering effort to guide ULBs in Maharashtra towards initiating and implementing URC in their localities. The toolkit provides systematic steps for ULBs, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and tools to manage fecal sludge and septage effectively.

A key aspect covered in the modules is the details of technologies available to successfully implement FSSM and the step by step approach for implementation for URC. In addition, the assessment of existing treatment facilities in urban areas across the state. This includes identifying opportunities for refurbishing existing infrastructure to strengthen URC models. By doing so, ULBs can enhance the quality of treatment and increase the sustainability of the infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Government of Maharashtra’s initiative to develop these comprehensive modules marks a significant step towards achieving effective FSSM through URC. By equipping ULBs with structured guidance and practical tools, these modules aim to enhance sanitation management, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes and environmental sustainability in the state.

We are excited to announce the launch of the Majhi Vasundhara 4.0 guidebook in collaboration with the Department of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, and supported by UNICEF, Maharashtra. The guidebook is a vital resource to equip urban and rural local bodies with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively participate in the Majhi Vasundhara 4.0 Abhiyan.

Given the critical need for climate action, this guidebook provides essential knowledge and practical tools for local bodies. It simplifies key concepts like sequestration, water and energy audits, and equips you to mitigate and adapt to the challenges of a changing climate. We believe this resource will be a valuable asset in building your capacity and fostering awareness within your communities.

Download the guidebook now and join us in making a difference!

In partnership with Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS) supported by IHE Delft, AIILSG Mumbai offers Post Graduate Diploma in WASH Management and Online courses on selected modules. The one-year course offers sanitation and sanitary engineering knowledge to students and professionals with a graduate degree who wish to specialize in WASH professionally. The enrolment for the new batch will begin in July 2022 and the course commences from September 2022.

Menstrual Hygiene Management week is celebrated globally, to promote open dialogue on menstruation and raise awareness on challenges related to menstrual hygiene and health management, to destigmatize the issue, as well as bust myths around the subject.  To work towards fulfillment of this goal, the Secretariat at Maharashtra Urban WASH-ES Coalition (MAHA-UWES-C), a joint initiative of the Regional Center for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) of All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG), Mumbai and UNICEF Maharashtra, celebrated the week by conducting six training programs on Menstrual Hygiene & Health Management for women’s Self Help groups under National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), Maharashtra, on the 25th and 26th of May 2022, one program for each division of the State. These training programs were held to educate women about Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. Various aspects of menstruation including menstruation cycle and ovulation cycle, products for menstrual management, ways of storing it and its disposal mechanism, myths linked to menstruation, challenges, and remedies during menstruation and menopause to these women. In addition, women were given guidance for employment opportunities on menstrual products, and various marketing strategies that can be adopted. Through these sessions, over 13,000 women were engaged and about 65,000 women were reached across Maharashtra.

The team at Secretariat, Maharashtra Urban WASH-ES Coalition (MAHA-UWES-C), a joint initiative of the Regional Center for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) of All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG), Mumbai and UNICEF Maharashtra, conducted a training for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) of Swachata Sanvardhan Sanstha Mahasangh, Mumbai, to encourage advocacy on period friendly toilets for all women, management of menstrual waste in community toilets, and for overall sensitization on menstruation in urban slums of Mumbai, to observe the Menstrual Hygiene Management week 2022. As a result of the training, the CBO groups organized an extensive internal training session and further conducted awareness raising activities across urban slums of Mankhurd, Vikroli, Ghatkopar and various other areas of Mumbai, for informing communities about safe menstrual hygiene practices and proper disposal of menstrual waste.