Effective operation of Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) is essentially important for securing safely managed sanitation in Bangladesh as most of the people in Bangladesh use onsite sanitation system and produce fecal sludge that requires proper treatment before disposal.
ITN-BUET, a regional capacity building Hub for Sanitation in South Asia, offered four-days long training on Planning and Designing of Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant for engineers, planners and sanitation professionals from 13-16 July 2025 to enhance their capacity on planning and design of FSTP.
A total of 25 participants including six (6) participants from the government department, nine (9) from private organizations and 10 from I/NGOs trained on eight training modules including introduction and planning to fecal sludge treatment, processes and technologies for dewatering of fecal sludge and their subsequent solid sludge and liquid effluent treatment, treatment on emergency and safe disposal of untreated fecal sludge, if there is no FSTP and operation and maintenance.
Eminent subject matter experts including Professors from BUET, UIU and NSU, experienced sector professionals from IsDB, CFSC, DPHE, and ITN-BUET and NGO Forum for Public Health facilitated the technical sessions, group work and individual exercises in the training.
Participants well appreciated the modality of the training delivery and overall training management. 70% of participants agreed that the training objectives were effectively achieved and the training materials and resources enhanced their understanding, whereas the remaining 30% of participants strongly agreed on it. Mr. Md. Abrar Hossain, Technical Officer–WASH at Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, opined that “the training was very effective”. Khan Muhammad Golam Rabbani, Executive Engineer at DPHE, stated that “we had a lack of in-depth theoretical knowledge of FSTP, which ITN-BUET successfully addressed through this training.” Md. Majidul Ahad, Project Manager at DSK at Cox’s Bazar, added that “the way ITN-BUET delivered the content was excellent, and we now have a clear understanding on how FSTPs function.”
The four days training was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Rowshan Mamtaz, Director of ITN-BUET on 13th July 2025 and ended with awarding certificates among the participants on 16th July 2025. Mr. Eheteshamul Russel Khan, Additional Chief Engineer (Planning), DPHE underscored his remarks at Guest in the closing ceremony that “such technical training is a milestone in the sanitation sector in Bangladesh for building a skilled workforce”.
The training showed a very good sign of enhancing the capacity of future sanitation professionals in the country. “This training would be an excellent opportunity for young engineers, as the future of our country lies in their hand”, testimony of Mr. Muhammad Mashiur Rahman, Executive Engineer at DPHE and a participant of this training.
