title: Helminth eggs inactivation efficiency by faecal sludge dewatering and co-composting in tropical climates.
abstract: This study investigates helminth eggs removal and inactivation efficiency in a treatment process combining faecal sludge (FS) dewatering and subsequent co-composting with organic solid waste as a function of windrow turning frequency. Fresh public toilet sludge and septage mixed at a 1:2 ratio were dewatered on a drying bed. Biosolids with initial loads of 25-83 helminth eggs/g total solids (TS) were mixed with solid waste as bulking material for co-composting at a 1:2 volume ratio. Two replicate sets of compost heaps were mounted in parallel and turned at different frequencies during the active composting period: (i) once every 3 days and (ii) once every 10 days. Turning frequency had no effect on helminth eggs removal efficiency. In both setups, helminth eggs were reduced to <1 viable egg/g TS, thereby complying with the WHO guidelines 2006 for the safe reuse of FS.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (Sandec), P.O. Box 611, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland. Doulaye.Kone@eawag.ch
authors.forename: Doulaye
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koné
authors.forename: Olufunke
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cofie
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zurbrügg
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gallizzi
authors.forename: Daya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drescher
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001200:Ascaris / Q000254:growth & development*; D005243:Feces; D010063:Ovum; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012722:Sewage; D014258:Trichuris / Q000254:growth & development*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage