MISSION REPORT

HIF PROJECT

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G O U D A , T H E N E T H E R L A N D S

Prepared by: Grover Mamani WASTE, Sanitation Adviser

gmamani@waste.nl

S P E E DY S A N I T I TA Z I O N A N D S TA B I L I Z AT I O N

DO BIO-ADDITIVES WORK TO REDUCE PATHOGEN CONCENTRATION AND STABILIZE FAECAL SLUDGE?

FIELD TESTING IN BLA NTYRE, MALAWI

With the objective to identify select/develop and test effective bio/chemical additives that convert faecal matter into a harmless and non-smelling product, WASTE together with its partners LSHTM, Oxfam, IFRC and ZZL is carrying out the project titled: ‘Sanitation innovations for humanitarian disasters in urban areas’ funded by Humanitarian Innovative Fund (HIF).

Currently, the project is in the phase of testing a number of bio-additives. This phase is divided in two stages; the first stage is testing bio-additives at laboratory scale in Netherlands and the second is to test the most promising additives at small scale in Malawi (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Laboratory testing

For the first stage the additives were chosen based on previous experiences and their availability. As faecal sludge is not available in Netherlands, settled sludge from the primary and secondary settling tank of a conventional treatment plant were used. The additives tested at UNESCO-IHE laboratory in Netherlands were: A)Biomax, B) Ikati, C) EM, D)Aqua clean and E)Soda. (More information is in Appendix 1)

The preliminary results in terms of pathogen reduction (E. Coli) and stabilization (%VS/TS) are shown in the Figure 2 and Figure 3.

Figure 2: E. Coli concentration and log reduction

None of the additives tested in laboratory reduced E. Coli concentration below the WHO guideline recommendations, however as it is shown in Figure 2 there is a significant reduction from 2 to 5 log units.

Regarding to stabilization, there was significant reduction of VS using Ikati (B) and Soda (E), with a VS/TS(%) below the recommendations for stable sludge.

Figure 3: VS/TS(%) of treated faecal sludge

2.002.503.003.504.004.505.005.506.006.507.00

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TESTINGS IN MALAWI

Two set of tests were performed in Malawi. The first set included eight additives: Biomax, Ikati, EM, Aqua Clean, Soda, Terra Aktiv, Saniloo and RidX (See Figure 4).

Figure 4: Additives tested in Malawi

The Additives were applied in plastic containers of 50L (See Figure 5) using the dosage indicated by the manufacturers (the same used at laboratory). The sludge used for this set of experiment had a TS concentration of approximately 1.7%.

Figure 5: Experimental units in Malawi

The preliminary results shown in the Figure 6 and Figure 7, indicate the same tendency of lab results. In terms of E.Coli reduction three products – Ikati, Soda and Saniloo - reduced pathogen concentration below the detection limits.

Figure 6: E. Coli concentration in treated faecal sludge in Malawi

In terms of stabilization, only two products – Ikati and Soda – achieved VS/TS(%) reduction below 40% (limit to consider stable sludge)

Figure 7: VS/TS(%) of treated faecal sludge

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For the second set of tests in Malawi a very thick sludge was used, it has a 17% TS concentration. The additives tested on this set are: Ikati, EM, Aqua Clean, Soda, Saniloo, Thai, Magic Pit and SafetyGel.

In terms of E. Coli reduction as it is shown in the Figure 8, Ikati, Soda and Safety Gel are the products which have a significant pathogen reduction.

Figure 8: E. Coli concentration after 7 days, in sludge with 17% TS concentration

Regarding VS/TS(%) reduction, none of the additives were able to stabilize the thick sludge (See Figure 9)

Figure 9: VS/TS(%) of treated faecal sludge of thick sludge (17%TS)

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APPENDIX 1

1. Rid-X

RID-X® Septic Tank System Treatment is a bio-additive produced by Reckitt Benckiser. The brochure states that Rid-X contains billions of 100% natural active bacteria and enzymes aid degrade household waste. Use of RID-X restores the delicate balance of beneficial bacterial and enzymes needed to help keep the septic system operating at full efficiency. Each box and bottle of RID-X® contains the following ingredients scientifically proven to break down household waste:

• Cellulase breaks down toilet paper, vegetable matter and some foods • Lipase breaks down fats, oils and grease • Protease breaks down proteins • Amylase breaks down starches Some properties

• Liquid in appearance • Blue to Blue Green colour • Form Liquid • Soapy odour • Physical state Liquid • pH 6.3 - 8.8 • Flash point > 199.94 °F (> 93.3 °C)

For the transportation requirements, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG - Canada) classifies the product as "Not regulated".

Source: http://www.rbnainfo.com/MSDS//US/RID-X-Septic-System-Treatment-Liquid-US-English-2.pdf; http://www.rid-x.com/how-do-septic-systems-work.shtml

(Access date 25/12/2014)

2. AquaClean (The information is obtained as it is from the website)

"AquaClean™ is a proprietary formula of bacteria produced in the USA. It is unique in that it contains vegetative bacteria representing Aerobic, Anaerobic, Facultative, Chemo-Synthetic and Photo-Synthetic Species in a very stable formula with a shelf life of over 2 years. This allows it be transported free from temperature control, stored on site and, when finally applied, rapidly grow to the available food source.

Due to its unique formulation and cultural fermentation process, AquaClean™ works both aerobically and anaerobically; it works with or without light, as well as in low to high acidic and alkaline conditions. As such, AquaClean™ is a very flexible treatment solution able to address the special needs of a broad spectrum of complex application requirements across a wide range of climate and temperature fluctuations. This provides very important operational savings due to the high, and ever rising, costs of sludge treatment, handling, transport and disposal.

Complying with the strictest environmental regulations, AquaClean™ is a non-toxic, non-caustic, biodegradable, non-pathogenic product approved by the USDA for use in and around food processing facilities. A formulation of naturally occurring bacteria developed to improve the performance of a broad spectrum of biological processes. It contains no Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s).

AquaClean™ ACF-32 and SR microbial preparation has been given approval for use with justification on organic farms for compost activation and soil conditioning by IOFGA the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Ireland’s leading organic certification body dedicated to certifying organic produce and products throughout Ireland".

Source: http://nova-q.ie/products/aquaclean.html

3. Ikati

This is a crystalline material that is normally used in village schools in Meru North Kenya to achieve volume reduction of pit latrines.

4. EM (Came from Sanergy)

Effective micro-organisms are a consortium of beneficial non-pathogenic micro-organisms. It is normally isolated from natural sources and contains no genetically modified organisms.

HIF FINANCIAL ISSUES

1. WASTE Malawi office gave three advance payments of MKW 250,000, MKW 130,000 and

68,177.28 to Ednah, for her research activities. Additionally WASTE Malawi paid MKW

18,000 for the taxi to pick up her when arrived first time in Blantyre.

All the costs related with the research in Malawi covered by WASTE (lab materials, transport

and communications) will be claimed at WASTE Malawi office. Ednah is going to present a

Mission cash book and reconcile all the expenses with Wilfred (WASTE Malawi

administrator) before she leaves. WASTE Malawi will get a copy of the receipts to keep

record of mission cash book and the originals will be presented at WASTE Netherlands.

2. WASTE Malawi office made two payments to the Malawi Bureau Standards (MBS)

laboratory to test TS and VS. The first amount is MKW 297,389,70 and the second MKW

202,789.30.

WASTE Malawi has sent scanned copies of the agreement and receipts for the payments

done for HIF project, WASTE Netherlands will transfer this amount to the Malawi office.

3. WASTE Malawi office requested the transfer of three days of HIF project manager to

Malawi country manager to cover the support of Malawi office in the HIF project.

Three days were transferred to WASTE Malawi office.

4. Regarding to the use of Soche WWTP laboratory two costs have been paid, the risk

allowance of MKW 144,900 and security allowance of MWK 70,000.

The following table summarizes the costs paid by WASTE Malawi for Ednah’s research:

Activities MKW Euro

1st advance payment Ednah 250.000,00 531,91

Taxi Ednah airport 18.000,00 38,30

2nd advance payment Ednah 130.000,00 276,60

Risk allowance 144.900,00 308,30

Security 70.000,00 148,94

MBS 1 297.389,70 632,74

MBS 2 202.789,30 431,47

3rd advance payment Ednah 68.177,28 145,06

TOTAL 1.181.256,28 2.513,31

RELATION BETWEEN WAS TE AND MALAWI POLYTE CHNIC UNIVERSITY

During the mission time in Malawi three meetings have been organized between Dr. Bernard Thole (Supervisor) and the Polytechnic University of Malawi MSc. students Flavius and Wilson, the following points were agreed:

1. The first meeting took place at Polytechnic University of Malawi in Blantyre with the participation of: Dr. Bernard Thole (Supervisor Polytechnic University of Malawi), Joseph DeGabriele (WASTE Malawi country manager) and Grover Mamani (WASTE Sanitation Adviser).

Dr. Thole explained the state of research activities of Flavius and Wilson. In case of Flavius, he monitored three systems (flexigester, worm toilet and terra preta?) during 8 months (May to December 2014). The flexigester has broken in January 2015 consequently is not possible to continue with the monitoring activities. The data collected from flexigester shows a clear difference between summer and winter, the pathogen reduction during summer is significantly higher than winter. On the other hand, regarding to worm toilet and terra preta, preliminary analysis indicates that these systems does not perform as it was expected and there is no difference between different seasons.

About Wilson, he finished the first stage of urea and lime treatment (replication of work done by Katie and other MSc students last year) but he couldn’t upscale the experiments. It was informed to Dr. Thole that the economic resources are not available in WASTE because the 2nd phase of the ESP project is not yet approved, however the students have enough materials to complete the planed tests.

The conclusion of this meeting was that the University is going to support to analyze the collected data and to finalize the research activities according to the initial objectives.

2. The second meeting took place in Soche WWTP, with the participation of Dr. Thole, Flavius, Wilson and Grover Mamani. The conclusions of the first meeting were communicated to the students and they accepted the challenge to finalize the research activities. In order to evaluate the progress a third meeting was scheduled by 5th March, where the students have to present the progress report.

3. The third meeting took place at Polytechnic University of Malawi in Blantyre. There was two presentations by Flavius and Wilson.

Flavius presented the results of monitoring three on-site sanitation systems (Flexigester, Worm Toilet and Terra Preta) in terms of pathogen reduction and other parameters. The main findings indicate that there is a significant difference of pathogen reduction in Flexigester during summer and winter, the pathogen reduction is considerably high during summer (below the detection limits), but during winter the pathogen reduction are above the limits for safe disposal. Regarding to Terra Preta, there was a misunderstanding about the process, the results say that this system is not effective to reduce pathogen concentration, however it needs to be analyzed carefully separating each process of terra preta (urine diversion, lactic acid treatment, vermin-composting and storage with addition of charcoal). About worm toilet, the preliminary analysis indicates also that the system is not effective to reduce pathogen concentration, however

there is a lack of analysis regarding to the set-up and operation of this system (loading rate, number of worms).

On the other hand, Wilson’s presentation showed more or less the same results of Katie, Elliette, Happiness and Lobke. The university explained that in order to have a MSc research complete the up scaling needs to be done. On this way, the University is going to support the student to finalize the research.

Both students are expected to finish the research by the end of this year.