A research project supported by ITN-BUET demonstrated the performance of electrode-assisted wetlands, known as microbial fuel cell constructed wetlands, under various conditions. A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the impact of aeration, plants, electrodes, and pollutant loads on these systems.

In a significant development concerning the management of fecal sludge, ITN-BUET has recently published a comprehensive fecal sludge testing protocol. This pioneering protocol is designed to assist laboratory personnel, researchers, sector partners, and local government institutions (LGIs) in testing various parameters essential for characterization of fecal sludge.

The Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) refresher workshop for the officials of Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) emphasized the importance of collaborative and continuous efforts in achieving sustainable urban sanitation for all. This two-day workshop, conducted on June 12-13, 2023, brought together experts, municipal representatives, and stakeholders to discuss and update time-bound actions for the MCC.

In a momentous collaboration, ITN-BUET, WaterAid, and the CWIS-FSM Support Cell have prepared and published the sanitation safety plan for Shakhipur Municipality. The aim of this SSP is to safeguard public health by identifying the risks associated with the sanitation chain by implementing the targeted interventions. Aligned with the guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO), the sanitation safety plan extensively analyzes the health risks associated with the entire sanitation value chain of Sakhipur municipality.

The SJWPBD Award Ceremony 2023 took place on Saturday, May 27th, at ITN-BUET Seminar room. The event, organized by House of Volunteers Foundation Bangladesh with ITN-BUET as the strategic partner, showcased the immense talent and unwavering dedication of all participating teams.

In an innovative initiative aimed at advancing gender equality and inclusivity in the delivery of sanitation services, officials from the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) participated in a specialized workshop titled “Strengthening Gender Inclusion in Sanitation Service Delivery.” The workshop was jointly organized by DPHE, ITN-BUET and CWIS-FSM support cell, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Taking place at BRAC CDM, Rajendrapur from May 13th to 14th, the workshop brought together a total of 30 delegates (18 female and 12 male), including 19 senior officials from DPHE.

ITN-BUET, ENPHO, and FANSA have organized a six-day long virtual training course on CWIS from 08 May 2023. FANSA Regional partners from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, who are implanting the “Rising for the Rights” project, are the primary participants of this online training program.

Amidst the pressing need to address city-wide sanitation solutions across South Asia, partners from the region convened virtually at a side event on the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development Forum (APFSD) to highlight effective and scalable models to upscale inclusive sanitation.

The 1st Sustainable Water Management (SWM) Expo was organized to align with the World Water Day theme of expediting change and taking collective efforts to solve the water crisis. The expo was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Water Works Association (BWWA), ITN-BUET, Dhaka WASA, WaterAid, and other partner organizations in Dhaka from March 20-22, 2023. The expo aimed to provide resources to achieve SDG-6 targets, and ITN-BUET offered practical insights into addressing environmental and public health issues.

The necessity of efficient collaboration among councilors and the mayor for sanitation conditions improvement through empowering women was highlighted in the dissemination workshop of the study titled “Measuring Urban Sanitation Empowerment (MUSE)” at Saidpur. Saidpur Municipality arranged the workshop in collaboration with ITN-BUET and CWIS-FSM Support Cell (CFSC), DPHE. The workshop took place on March 20, 2023, at the Conference Room of the Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) of the Municipality.