Diagnostic and decision-support tools for effective faecal sludge management (FSM) services

Achieving effective faecal sludge management (FSM) from on-site sanitation systems is critical to improving sanitation in urban settlements. Research conducted in 2014-16 by OPM Ltd and WEDC, on behalf of and with the World Bank WSP, used extensive primary data from five cities in the global South to develop a comprehensive suite of FSM diagnostic and decision-support tools. This paper describes the development and use of the tools, while illustrating two key tools. The resulting suite of tools, together with associated resources, provides a comprehensive and usable basis to help guide FSM intervention options, informed by an understanding of existing FSM services, within the context of the enabling environment and political economy realities of the city.