Faecal Sludge Treatment Research Articles

A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT IN BANTUL, YOGYAKARTA

Aim: This study aims to assess the entire process of septage management comprising regulation, operational procedures, finance, community involvement, and water quality analysis to maximize the initial and hugest human fecal sludge treatment called Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (IPLT) in Yogyakarta. Methodology and Results: The Modified EHRA (Environmental Health Risk Assessment) method was applied which focused only on wastewater treatment aspect. Several regulations including standard quality methods (SNI) were utilized and made a comparison between baseline rules and obtained results. Furthermore, quality assessment was accomplished by observation and interview. The results showed that the human sector needs to improve not only the amount of operators but also urgently put up protective personal equipment during the suction process. The dissemination of attractive information about sludge suction service done by PUPKP as a representation of the local government among the dwellers ought to upgrade a lot. Technologies employed which are carriage transportation and vacuum machine, are good enough. Contrarily, septage treatment plants require extra-effort to enhance it as most water quality parameters barely meet the standard quality. BOD, COD, ammonia, total coliform, oil and grease do not meet the third class of water quality (Government Regulation of Republic of Indonesia No. 82/2001). Subsequently, the effectiveness of each unit i.e. anaerobic tank and stabilization ponds are under 50% and the loading rate has a maximum capacity of 87.5m3/day, and 60m3/day minimum capacity. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Therefore, almost all aspects of septage management in Bantul Yogyakarta are required to improve

Improved and promising fecal sludge sanitizing methods: treatment of fecal sludge using resource recovery technologies

AbstractThe global challenges that face sustainable sanitation services in developing countries are the lack of fecal sludge (FS) management; this is due to the rapid urbanization and population growth as it generates enormous quantities of fecal sludge. The extensive use of unimproved sanitation technologies is one of the main reasons for environmental and public health concerns. In dispersed rural areas, isolated slums or in urban areas where a sewerage system is costly, a decentralized wastewater system can be used. Therefore centralized management of decentralized wastewater systems along with proper institutional framework treatment of fecal sludge can be used to enhance the economies of developing countries from resource recovery. The discovery of new ways to inactivate pathogens contained in human waste is key in improving access to sanitation worldwide and reducing the impact of conventional waste management processes on the environment. The entire FS management system should include on-site sanitary treatment methods, collection, and transportation of FS, treatment facilities as well as resource recovery or disposal of the treated end products. This review paper addresses the hygienization of fecal sludge and improved treatment technologies for safe reuse or disposal of the end products and the significant economic revenues attained from the treatments of fecal sludge.

Estimation of greenhouse gases from sewage from on-site sewage management system

Reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions plays an important role in preventing global warming and climate change. It is generally known that domestic wastewater management activities are significant contributors to the emissions due to its biological process that produces methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. Various studies related to GHGs emissions from this sector have been conducted. However, only limited studies focused on the on-site sewage treatment. Since 72% of total existing wastewater treatment facilities in Indonesia are on-site systems, this study attempted to estimate GHGs emissions from each component in the system using the IPCC method. Depok City was chosen as the study case and the estimation was limited to on-site treatment tank, wastewater collection tank, and fecal sludge treatment system. Our study estimated that the total annual emissions from the on-site sewage system in Depok City were 232.45 Gg CO2eq, consisted of 232.39 Gg CO2eq of on-site emissions and 0.0662 Gg CO2eq of off-site emissions. Among the system component, direct emissions from the on-site treatment such as septic tanks is the highest contributor to the total emission (70% followed by direct emission from fecal sludge treatment plant (19%). Through scenario evaluations, this study suggests that converting private septic tanks into the communal type is the most effective strategy in reducing total GHGs emissions from on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Faecal sludge treatment facility site selection using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis and AHP: Case study of Bogor Regency

Sanitary condition is one of the components that influencing public health. Bogor Regency has total area 2,663.81 km2, with total population 5,965,410 in 2019. The sanitation of Bogor Regency nearly 100% is using on-site systems. Utilization of septic tank reduces the level of contamination of surface water and groundwater. However, the sludge still containing high E. Coli that potentially caused diarrhea, vomiting disease, and others, so that the handling of the sludge needs Faecal Sludge Treatment Facilities (FSTF). Before 2016, Bogor Regency already had 10 units of faecal suction truck services, but the disposal process still was done in Kalimulya FSTF, Depok City. So, this study aims to find a feasible FSTF site location which fulfils the spatial plan, technical, and non-technical criteria. The process on the determining feasible FSTF location was employing multicriteria analysis by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Several spatial data such as the land slope, the soil type, distance from water bodies/river, the administration of Bogor Regency, as well as land use and land capability were used for FSTF site selection. Spatial analysis using GIS results in 22 locations in 15 different districts. By reconsidering the area, only 8 selected locations were surveyed and evaluated using AHP. Based on the weighting, the locations which chosen for the eastern, central, and western parts of Bogor are Cileungsi, Cibinong, and Cigudeg districts respectively.

Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Fecal Pathogen Infections: Approaches for Health Risk Protection

Septic tank sludge or fecal sludge (FS) is often discharged on public areas without any treatment, causing environmental and adverse public health effects. Millennium Development Goal 7c (MDG 7c) targets improved access to water and sanitation because 85% of the world’s total FS is often discharged on public areas. Like other countries, Thailand faces fecal slugde management (FSM) problems leading to significant fecal pathogen infections, especially in the north and northeastern regions. This study assessed the effects of unsafely-managed FS on human health risks in two cities, Natan City and Tham Lod City in Thailand, that have relatively high liver fluke and diarrhea infections, and identified the factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections due to FS. Specific measures were proposed in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection toward the Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (SDG6) targets of safely managed sanitation and hygiene services. Based on data collected from these cities from February to May 2019, factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections were identified and analysed using multiple regression analysis. Based on the findings, specific measures in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection toward the Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG 6) are proposed. Because no FS treatment facilities operate in Natan City and Tham Lod City, almost 100% of FS is discharged directly into open drains, resulting in diarrhea and liver fluke infections among local people. The findings identified the factors relating to FSM practices that affect the prevalence of liver fluke and diarrhea infections and proposed specific measures in delivering integrated FSM solutions and health risk protection, such as promoting education programmes, avoiding direct FS discharges into open drains and nearby streams, and providing innovative FSM technologies to eradicate fecal pathogen infections.

Assessing the microbial risk of faecal sludge use in Ugandan agriculture by comparing field and theoretical model output

Reuse of faecal sludge in agriculture has many potential benefits, but also poses risks to human health. To better understand the potential risks, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was performed for three population groups in Kampala, Uganda: wastewater and faecal sludge treatment plant workers; farmers using faecal sludge; and consumers of faecal sludge-fertilised vegetables. Two models were applied for farmers and consumers, one based on pathogen concentrations from field sampling of sludge, soils and vegetables, and one based on theoretical pathogen contribution from the last sludge application, including decay and soil to crop transfer of pathogens. The risk was evaluated for two pathogens (enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Ascaris lumbricoides). The field data on sludge, soil and vegetables indicated that the last application of faecal sludge was not the sole pathogen source. Correspondingly, the model using field data resulted in higher risks for farmers and consumers than the theoretical model assuming risk from sludge only, except when negligible for both. For farmers, the yearly risk of illness, based on measured concentrations, was 26% from EHEC and 70% from Ascaris, compared with 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively, considering the theoretically assumed contribution from the sludge. For consumers, the risk of illness based on field samples was higher from consumption of leafy vegetables (100% from EHEC, 99% from Ascaris) than from consumption of cabbages (negligible for EHEC, 26% from Ascaris). With the theoretical model, the risk of illness from EHEC was negligible for both crops, whereas the risk of illness from Ascaris was 64% and 16% for leafy vegetables and cabbage, respectively. For treatment plant workers, yearly risk of illness was 100% from EHEC and 99.4% from Ascaris. Mitigation practices evaluated could reduce the relative risk by 30-70%. These results can help guide treatment and use of faecal sludge in Kampala, to protect plant workers, farmers and consumers.

Control of septage sanitization by limes and lactic acid fermentation

Considering low-cost and effective fecal sludge (FS) treatment alternatives is essential to avoid risk to human health and to ensure safe disposal in landfills and soils. This research assesses optimal pH adjustment of two techniques for sanitizing de-watered FS from a septic sewage-treatment plant. The preliminary analysis evaluated the efficiency of lactic acid fermentation (LAF) by two lactic acid strains: Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The homofermentative strain was chosen to evaluate three supplementary sugars: smashed carrot, sugarcane-derived molasses, and anhydrous dextrose. Lime treatment was examined using two materials, CaO, 105% calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), and Ca(OH)2, 75% CCE. Four samples were retrieved from a passive thermal drying bed, two characterized by its available nutrient content; all samples were analyzed for the pathogenic profile, and total coliforms (TC) were selected as indicators. For LAF, an inoculating rate of Lactobacillus casei 10 g/100 g sludge was found effective in decreasing the pH below 4.0 after 30 days of fermentation, using 22% w/w dextrose/septage and 20% w/w molasses/septage, where molasses contains 20.7% of soluble sugars. In the case of lime treatment, the pH was fitted by a power-law relationship to the rate of lime applied in a septage with an initial pH lower than 7.0. A Langmuir type equation fitted better the liming of two septages with initial pHs above 7.0. The rate of lime CaO 10% w/w was observed to increase the pH above critical value, 12, after 1 h and 24 h. Analysis confirmed the total elimination of TC in samples with pH < 4.0 and pH > 12, contrasting the respective controls. Rates of CaO considering the initial pH of the FS are recommended in order to reach pH 12. Septage sanitization can be completed using either CaO or lactic acid fermentation with molasses; selecting the ideal method will rely on cost-benefit analysis. Sanitization can be considered as well to improve safety soil nutrient recycling practices.

Study of Treatment Process Improvement of Fecal Sludge in Surabaya City and Optimization for The Retribution Management

IPLT Keputih is one and only fecal sludge treatment plant in Surabaya City. As mentioned on Perda No 1 Tahun 2016 Kota Surabaya, fecal sludge is one of the public services with current retribution cost of Rp. 15.000/m3. However, the retribution cost does not cover all fecal sludge treatment cost, rather merely as indicator for public participation to treat their fecal sludge. Throughout 2014-2018, the number of treated fecal sludge in IPLT Keputih is 134.537,52 m3 while the fecal sludge potential is up to 2.756.146,5 m3. In order to increase public participation, it is necessary to review value and sytem of fecal sludge treatment and adjust it with local economic condition. In addition, to support the treatment potential, IPLT Keputih also needs some optimization in the retribution management. The method used in this study is started by collecting primary and secondary data about the treatment and retribution system. Laboratory test result will be the basic of process performance. After all data are complete, there will be some analysis based on the evaluation of process and operation, improvement process and operation recommendation based on process experiment, and retribution system optimization. To optimize the value of retribution and system, the optimal value of retribution and maximum service (treatment and desludging) is Rp. 12.000/month combined with PDAM retribution. This will in return increase public participation in fecal sludge treatment.

Evaluating the Physicochemical, Nutrient, and Pathogenic Characteristics of Fecal Sludge for Fertilizer Application: Case from Vadgaon Maval, Maharashtra, India

AbstractUnscientific application of fecal sludge (FS) on agricultural fields in India has led to fecal coliform and heavy metal accumulation in the food chain. The design of FS treatment depends on...

Planning fecal sludge management systems: Challenges observed in a small town in southern India

Fecal Sludge Treatment or Septage Management is increasingly being recognised as an effective and appropriate method to scale urban sanitation systems to achieve safe sanitation, particularly in small towns and cities. As implementation progresses, data-based evidence is emerging, highlighting the challenges faced on the ground, and the requisite planning necessary to address them. This paper presents the findings, challenges and possible ways ahead from a study conducted to provide data for Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) planning for a small town in a state in southern India. With the objective of understanding the nature of containment structures and on-ground desludging practices, 8,001 households and 1,667 establishments were studied in Periyanaicken-Palayam (PNP), a non-sewered Town Panchayat in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, to provide evidence for effective decision-making. The study showed wide variations in the sizing and design of the containment systems, which, when combined with the irregular frequency of desludging, has implications for FSM planning by municipal bodies. This study also highlights the methodological difficulties in studying containment systems, exposes a significant response bias given the limited understanding of containment systems within households, and spotlights the difficulty in physically verifying the reported data given the underground nature of these systems.

Integrated Community Onsite Sanitation System for Close Loop Faecal Management

The achievement of safe sanitation access is about 7.42 % in 2018, that indicates high risk of faecal contamination from unmanaged onsite sanitation system and has not been fully supported by faecal sludge service. This paper described the study of characteristic of onsite sanitation and faecal sludge for review potential of integrating of sludge handling with improved communal wastewater treatment. Faecal sludge quality were observed from pit latrines and communal septic tank, then analysis method apply cluster analysis and through close loop approach consider treatment and disposal for resource recovery. The pilot model of combined treatment of wastewater and faecal sludge was developed by anaerobic digester with a maximum 5% sludge loading, then further treatment by biofilter system and sludge drying bed. The quality of treated water can meet COD and nitrogen as effluent standard, biosolid reached a stabilization index of 40 - 60%, water content of 50-60% and less Coliform bacteria content. The characteristics of faecal sludge strength to be handled will be influenced bytechnical aspect or environment. The integrated system could be applied to manage wastewater and faecal sludge and its by products, mainly for rural area has not been catered by faecal sludge service.

Comparison of the efficiency of Deebag and jute made bag for faecal sludge management and wastewater treatment

Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) has become a prominent environmental concern in the today's world. Dewatering of sludge and the treatment of wastewater (WW) are the prime spiny issue because of the deleterious essence of faecal sludge (FS) and WW in the environment. The main focus of this study was on FSM by 'Deebag' and 'Jute Bag' through dewatering and filtering. Deebag is a dewatering as well as filtering media which is made with geotextile and polypropylene. Contrariwise, three types of jute bags were made of jute fiber for using as the same purposes of Deebag. A polyacrylamide polymer was used in this study and both filtering and dewatering were done in two ways-with and without the presence of polymer. Biochemical Oxygen Demand at 5 days (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Chloride (Cl-), Phosphate (PO43-), Nitrate (NO3-), Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) parameters of raw and filtering samples were analyzed to assess the performance of WW treatment by Deebag and jute bags. Only using polymer was observed as one kind of treatment of WW. Deebag has been found to show the maximum dewatering capacity as well as treatment efficiency comparing with the jute bags. However, among three types of jute bags, double jute layered bag has shown the best performance. Maximum dewatering for Deebag and jute bags were found 88% and 83% respectively while using the polymer.

Characterization and Prediction of Fecal Sludge Parameters and Settling Behavior in Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

The safe management of fecal sludge (FS) relies on different treatments, processes, and disposal options in different contexts. Waste transfer stations can improve FS management particularly in resource-constrained areas, including low-income urban informal settlements, by providing a safe discharge and treatment location. Low-footprint options for FS treatment are sensitive to the characteristics of incoming FS, which are typically highly variable, difficult to predict, and differ significantly from the characteristics of traditional wastewater. The success of low-footprint technologies relies on the monitoring of incoming FS characteristics, such as total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH. Monitoring the characteristics of incoming FS typically relies on the use of a laboratory, which can be expensive and time-consuming, particularly in resource-constrained areas. Useful correlations between easy to measure parameters and difficult to measure parameters may provide useful information related to the monitoring of FS, while reducing the need for laboratory analysis. In this paper, we describe a sampling campaign at a waste transfer station in Nairobi, Kenya managed by Sanergy Inc., to characterize and observe settling behavior of FS collected from manually emptied pit latrines. The investigation found that easy to measure parameters (e.g., TS, turbidity) could be used to approximate difficult to measure parameters (COD, TSS). Additionally, rapid measurements (turbidity) could be used to approximate time-intensive parameters (TS, COD, TSS) to aid in the design, operation and monitoring of FS treatment facilities in resource and space-constrained areas.

Treatment of Preserved Fecal Sludge Using Anaerobic Digestion.

Rational ways of treatment of fecal sludge (FS) from environmentally friendly toilet complexes of railway cars preserved with a biocidal agent (BA) based on quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) are considered. The bacteriostatic effect of BA on different groups (aerobic and anaerobic) of microorganisms in preserved FS was shown. An effective method for reducing the toxic effect of BA in FS by means of pretreatment with acid prior to microbiological processing has been proposed. The conditions for carrying out the process were selected, allowing to increase the efficiency of anaerobic fermentation of FS containing BA.

Practical experience testing aspects of market development for city-wide inclusive sanitation

Achieving effective, city-wide inclusive sanitation service delivery requires coordination of diverse actors in the sanitation value chain as many factors constrain the efficiency and quality of faecal sludge management (FSM). In partnership with government, consumer, and private sector stakeholders in Bihar’s capital city, Patna, PSI India facilitated extensive market analysis, identified the market challenges, and co-developed a market-based urban FSM services ‘ecosystem’ which resulted in the safe collection, treatment, and disposal of over 7 million litres of faecal sludge from more than an estimated 1,500 households over two years, as part of bundled portable toilet cabins and FSM services. The FSM programme Praashadan, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, built trust, improved coordination, and brokered official agreements between tanker operators and government, tested a portable toilet cabin business model to subsidize operation of a faecal sludge treatment plant, and established a call centre and promotional activities to drive customers to the services of a newly formed tanker operators association. Moving forward there is a need to place the work with these market actors into a wider context of a financed, coordinated, city-wide sanitation planning to address technology, R&D, and other constraints that support better business models and allow regular quality FSM services.

Valorization of faecal and sewage sludge via pyrolysis for application as crop organic fertilizer

In developing countries, faecal sludge treatment facilities are non-existent in most cities and small towns resulting in untreated and improper disposal of sludge. In Ghana 85 % of faecal sludge produced each day is discharged into the earth with no effective treatment. Converting sewage and faecal sludge to biochar addresses the stigma of fertilizer obtained from human excreta, since the pyrolysis process guarantees a 100 % pathogen elimination, and enrich nutrients in faecal sludge biochar. The interest to convert sludge waste into biochar is that it ensures a pathogen free fertilizer. Sewage sludge and faecal sludge with sawdust were pyrolysed at different temperatures in this study. Sewage sludge (SSB1−300 °C, SSB2−450 °C and SSB3−600 °C) as well as faecal sludge with sawdust (CTB1−300 °C, CTB2−450 °C and CTB3−600 °C) were both converted to biochar at 300 °C, 450 °C and 600 °C, respectively using an electric kiln. Physicochemical parameters such as Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Potassium (TK), Total Phosphorous (TP), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Organic Carbon (OC), Organic Matter (OM), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Ash content, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Moisture content, Porosity and Bulk Density and germination test were performed. It was found that at 300 °C nitrogen content, organic matter, bulk density, biochar yield and moisture content were high, and longer root lengths were observed as well. Biochars produced at 450 °C produced the longest shoot lengths. Also, biochars produced at 600 °C had high phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels, high porosity, pH and high heavy metal concentration as well. The outcomes demonstrate that biochars produced at higher temperatures are high in heavy metal concentration, but were within acceptable limits for application in agriculture. Biochar produced at moderately lower temperature is favourable for agriculture purposes. SSB1−300 °C, SSB2−450 °C, CTB1−300 °C and CTB2−450 °C had moderate pH and ash levels and so are less toxic to the growth of plants. Faecal sludge biochar produced at the three temperatures were suitable for use as fertilizer. The conversion of sludge waste into biochar will help improve faecal sludge management.

Isothermal drying characteristics and kinetics of human faecal sludges

Background: Drying is an important step for the thermochemical conversion of solid fuels, but it is energy-intensive for treating highly moist materials. Methods: To inform the thermal treatment of faecal sludge (FS), this study investigated the drying characteristics and kinetics of various faecal wastes using thermogravimetric analysis and isothermal heating conditions. Results: The findings show that FS from the anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and ventilated improved pit latrines (VIP) exhibit similar drying characteristics, with maximum drying rates at 0.04 mg/min during a constant rate period that is followed by a distinct falling rate period. On the contrary, fresh human faeces (HF) and FS from urine diversion dry toilets (UDDT) exhibited a falling rate period regime with no prior or intermittent constant rate periods. The absence of a constant rate period in these samples suggested limited amounts of unbound water that can be removed by dewatering and vice versa for VIP and ABR faecal sludges. The activation energies and effective moisture diffusivity for the sludges varied from 28 to 36 kJ/mol and 1.7·10 -7 to 10·10 -7 m 2/s at 55°C and sludge thickness of 3mm. The Page model was consistent in modelling the different sludges across all temperatures. Conclusions: These results presented in this study can inform the design and development of innovative drying methods for FS treatment.

Providing municipal faecal sludge management services: lessons from Bangladesh

Faecal sludge management (FSM) is a rising priority in the WASH sector, and governments and development agencies are increasing their investments in faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs). In Bangladesh there are plans to build 100 FSTPs in secondary municipalities. However, lessons from past experiences are not widely understood or considered. This article aims to fill that gap, shedding light on the drivers of success and challenges in the provision of municipal FSM services, analysing the cases of older FSTPs in four secondary towns in Bangladesh. Only one of these plants was fully operational, one was not operating, and two were partially operational. A challenge identified was that the faecal sludge treatment plants were not part of an integral and well-thought-out plan considering the whole sanitation service chain. Unbalanced partnerships between stakeholders was a crucial barrier to the long-term success of FSTPs, as it hindered the empowerment of the municipal governments to take ownership of FSM service provision. The financing and technical capacities of the municipalities were another barrier, which was covered by NGOs in the most successful plant. The study suggests that future investment in FSM services in secondary towns in Bangladesh and similar contexts should 1) put municipalities in the driving seat, 2) ensure adequate financing, 3) consider the whole sanitation service chain, and 4) strengthen the capacities of the local actors to deliver FSM services.

Isothermal drying characteristics and kinetics of human faecal sludges

Background: Drying is an important step for the thermochemical conversion of solid fuels, but it is energy-intensive for treating highly moist materials. Methods: To inform the thermal treatment of faecal sludge (FS), this study investigated the drying characteristics and kinetics of various faecal wastes using thermogravimetric analysis and isothermal heating conditions. Results: The findings show that FS from anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines exhibit similar drying characteristics, with maximum drying rates at 0.04 mg/min during a constant rate period that is followed by a distinct falling rate period. On the contrary, fresh human faeces (HF) and FS from urine-diverting dry toilets (UDDT) exhibited a falling rate period regime with no prior or intermittent constant rate periods. The absence of constant rate period in these samples suggested limited amounts of unbound water that can be removed by dewatering and vice versa for VIP and ABR faecal sludges. The activation energies and effective moisture diffusivity for the sludges varied from 20 to 30 kJ/mol and 3∙10-7 to 1∙10-5 m2/s at 55°C and sludge thickness of 3mm. The Page model was consistent in modelling the different sludges across all temperatures. Conclusions: These results presented in this study can inform the design and development of innovative drying methods for FS treatment.

Nutrient removal from human fecal sludge digestate in full-scale biological filters

There is a great need for simple methods for digestate management for potential household sanitation systems based on anaerobic digestion of minimally diluted fecal waste in countries that lack safe sanitation. Herein, a full-scale three-stage filter for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from anaerobic digester effluent was implemented in Madagascar. It included a trickling filter with crushed charcoal (for aerobic nitrification), a submerged anaerobic filter with bamboo chips (for denitrification), and a submerged filter with scrap iron (for phosphorus removal). All filter materials were sourced locally. Three parallel replicate systems were operated in two sequential 8-week phases for a total of 16 continuous weeks. Though the influent feed was not as expected, with much of nitrogen in the feed coming in as organic N and not as NH3–N, the filters still removed 38–49% of total incoming nitrogen. The filters achieved high rates of nitrogen transformation along with removing solids (73–82% turbidity removal), chemical oxygen demand (67–75% removal), and phosphorus (31–50% removal). Overall, the reaction rates from this full-scale study were in line with previous lab-scale investigations with scaled-down systems, supporting their application in real-world scenarios. Based on this study, simple effluent filters can support nutrient removal for small-scale and onsite fecal sludge treatment systems.