The contribution of tipping fees to the operation, maintenance, and management of fecal sludge treatment plants: The case of Ghana

Abstract

Globally, collection of tipping fees is being promoted as a solution to sustain the operation of fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs). Currently, there are six large-scale FSTPs in Ghana, of which five were in operation in June 2017. In Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and Tamale, fecal sludge (FS) is co-treated with landfill leachate using waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). In Tema and Accra, FS is treated using WSPs and a mechanical dewatering system coupled with an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). The focus of this study is FSTPs and to assess how, and if, the tipping fees set by the municipalities could enable cost recovery to sustain their long-term operation. Using a questionnaire survey to interview plant managers from the public and private sectors, and directors of waste management departments, we found that the overall average operation, maintenance and management (OM&M) costs per 1000 m 3 of treated waste (FS or FS + leachate) in 2017 were USD89 in Kumasi, USD150 in Tamale, USD179 in Tema, USD244 in Sekondi-Takoradi and USD1,743 in Accra. There were important disparities between FSTPs due to their scale, age, and level of treatment and monitoring. Currently, most FSTPs charge tipping fees that range between USD310 and USD530/1000 m 3 of FS, averaging USD421 ± 98/1000 m 3 of FS discharged at FSTPs. Our study also showed that the OM&M costs of large-scale intensive FSTPs cannot be sustained by relying solely on tipping fees. However, there could be potential to cover the routine expenditures associated with operating smaller FSTPs that relying on WSP technologies.

Fecal sludge treatment in a pilot-scale vertical-flow constructed wetland for the removal of helminth eggs

“…Fecal sludge (FS) is produced in on-site sanitation technologies (e.g., pit latrines and septic tanks), and the result of the collection, storage or treatment of excreta and blackwater (Stenström et al 2011;Tilley et al 2014;Strande et al 2018). The direct discharge of raw FS into the environment was found to be a major environmental and public health concern in many studies (Soh Kengne et al 2014;Letah Nzouebet et al 2016;Strande et al 2018;Velkushanova et al 2021;Tanoh et al 2022). Recent outbreaks of waterborne diseases have raised public concerns regarding the safety of water resources (Prüss-Ustün et al 2019).…”

Human and ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in polymer post treatment sludge from Barekese Drinking Water Treatment Plant, Kumasi

“…Polymer-based coagulants have gained prominence in water treatment due to their advantages over conventional coagulants, such as lower concentration requirements, high biodegradability, reduced processing costs, and broader applicability across temperature and pH ranges [1] . Increasing polymer post-treatment sludge (PTS) production during water treatment has emerged as a pressing environmental concern since sludge disposal and management costs account for about 15–30% of the operational costs of water treatment plants (WTP) [2] . Environmental factors, technical demands, financial constraints, and local laws all play a part in sludge management and disposal procedures that enable advantageous methods to emerge as the most cost-effective choice in Ghanaian drinking water treatment plants [3] .…”