Project Lead(s): David Gallagher
There are more than 68,000 septic tanks and latrines in the Kathmandu Valley, which are regularly emptied by public and private collection/utility services. With few treatment options available, the sludge is regularly dumped untreated in surface waters. A large percentage of the faecal sludge is discharged untreated to drinking water sources like the Bagmati River, resulting in high incidence of waterborne disease.
Children under the age of five are the most affected, with an estimated 44,000 dying every year in Nepal from waterborne diseases. Pregnant mothers also experience significant health impacts, including dehydration, spontaneous abortion, and fetal death.
Aerosan views faecal sludge as a potential, high-value, energy rich resource. This ‘black gold’, when processed under pressure and heat, can create a fuel source as efficient, yet far more sustainable and clean burning, than charcoal. This project will leverage existing waste collection to process faecal sludge into high-value, cost effective energy resources for the Nepalese brick manufacturing sector, thus not only having a positive effect on the environment but also lessening dependency on expensive imported coal.