Methods for Faecal Sludge Analysis
Our mission is to empower researchers everywhere by democratizing access to high-quality sludge analytics. We unite chemical, physical and biological data from labs around the world into one open platform—and pair it with state-of-the-art validation, statistical and machine-learning tools—so that every scientist can accelerate discoveries, uphold data integrity and drive sustainable innovations in environmental and health research.
Introduction
Faecal sludge management is globally recognized as an essential component of city-wide inclusive sanitation. The first edition of this book (Velkushanova et al., 2021) was developed to address a fundamental gap in the field: the absence of standardized methods for the sampling and analysis of faecal sludge. Without such methods, results could not be reliably compared between studies, and the true variability of faecal sludge remained poorly understood. Procedures developed for wastewater, soil and food science were often applied and adapted to faecal sludge, despite its properties differing by orders of magnitude.
By consolidating the collective experience of faecal sludge laboratories worldwide, the first edition established a foundation for standardized analysis, improved communication among sanitation practitioners, and greater confidence in the data generated. It covered the classification of faecal sludge; sample collection; health and safety requirements for handling; experimental design; quantification at community to city-wide scales; modelling of containment and treatment processes; formulations for simulants; and laboratory methods for faecal sludge analysis.
The second edition (Velkushanova et al., 2027) presents the advances achieved since the publication of the first edition. All laboratory methods have undergone a rigorous validation and verification process conducted by eleven faecal sludge laboratories within the Global Partnership of Laboratories for Faecal Sludge Analysis.
This process provides documented evidence of method performance, repeatability and applicability across diverse types of faecal sludge, geographical locations and institutional settings. It also identified and addressed gaps to ensure that the methods are applicable across a wide range of contexts. Several additional methods that are currently under development have also been included.
A new chapter introduces the development of a global faecal sludge database, initially based on data generated during the validation and verification process and subsequently expanded with datasets from a range of studies. The database brings together diverse faecal sludge data and functions as an analytical tool, enabling data to be processed in real time, compared across studies and regions, and used to estimate missing values.
New case studies demonstrate the application of the methods under field and laboratory conditions, while all chapters have been updated to reflect current knowledge, research and developments in the sector.
The second edition will continue to be a valuable resource for researchers, laboratory technicians, academics, students and sanitation practitioners worldwide.
Velkushanova K., Strande L., Ronteltap M., Koottatep T., Brdjanovic D., Buckley C. Eds. (2021) Methods for Faecal Sludge Analysis, IWA Publishing, London, UK. ISBN 9781780409115.
Velkushanova K., Strande L., Ronteltap M., Koottatep T., Brdjanovic D. Eds. (2027) Methods for Faecal Sludge Analysis – 2nd edition, IWA Publishing, London, UK. ISBN 9781789065626.
Note: The chapters below (except #9) are from the first edition of the book. They will be replaced with the corresponding chapters from the second edition in spring 2027.
Global database for faecal sludge analysis (coming soon)
Get the book
The first edition of Methods for Faecal Sludge Analysis (Velkushanova et al.) was published in 2021 and quickly became one of IWA Publishing’s best-selling titles. The second edition builds on the success of the first, presenting the latest advances in faecal sludge analysis achieved since its publication. It incorporates updated and verified methods, knowledge and practical experience to support researchers, laboratory professionals, practitioners and students working in the field. The second edition will be available in spring 2027 as a hard copy from IWA Publishing and as a free open-access online edition, making the latest knowledge and advances in faecal sludge analysis widely accessible to the global sanitation community.
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