Page 10 - Discussion Paper on Faecal Sludge Management in Urban India
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Discussion Paper
BOX 3: MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY ON SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT
Best Practice Case under Public–Private Partnership at Country Level
Malaysia has developed itself as a pioneer in sewerage and septage management services in the
Asian continent. Around 73% of the urban households in Malaysia are well connected to sewerage
while the remaining 27% (equivalent to 29% septic tank coverage in India) relies on well-managed
septic tank system. The improved sanitation status of the country can be attributed to the hybrid
approach of prioritizing sewerage and septage both as a solution towards integrated sanitation
management, evident through the legislative and institutional reforms, and successful
implementation of the reforms.
A consolidated legal framework was developed along with clearly defined institutional responsibilities
to ensure provision of sewerage and septage services at the national level. For this, the government
passed Sewerage Services Act (SSA) (from 1993 to 2008) and Water Services Industry Act (from
2008) to provide efficiently monitored water and sewerage services in the country. The government
employed a private firm, IWK, which was later nationalized to help them with operation and
maintenance (O&M) of septage management in the country. IWK works closely with government
regulatory bodies to establish policy guidelines along with the operating procedures for the
developers and operators of treatment plants.
The legislative reforms helped delineate proper roles and responsibilities to various institutions
and organizations. Mandatory desludging helped provide scheduled and regular emptying of septic
tanks. Vehicle safety inspection, driver’s medical fitness, adherence to disposal guidelines, use of
personal protective equipment by workers, and many such regulations were put in place. Guidelines
and rules enforced compliance since there was the impending fear of fine and punishment as a
consequence of non-compliance and integration of wastewater as well as water and sanitation
services meant that water supply could also be stopped as a punishment.
The Malaysian authorities also made good use of private sector efficiency and engaged in a
successful partnership with a private firm to improve the situation of sanitation facilities in the
country, which is responsible for developing around 70%–80% of the sanitation infrastructure of
the country.
IWK based their operational scheme on a three-tier approach. First by, it located and restored
old treatment plants, while subsequently developing their septage handling capacity. Secondly, it
used oxidation ponds for septage disposal while identifying and constructing trenching sites where
trees were subsequently planted. Thirdly, it constructed centralized septage management facilities
for densely populated areas. Individual septic tank users participate in desludging programmes and
pay wastewater bills semi-annually.
To summarize, the key success factors for Malaysia to become a pioneer in FSM are:
Clear and bold policy governing septage and sludge management;
Institutional reforms with clear responsibilities of the institutions involved;
Collaborative efforts of the government and private sector to achieve efficient
septage management;
Three-tier approach by IWK helped focus on each aspect of sanitation infrastructure gradually
and develop as well as improve each aspect at a time;
Compulsory training for staff as well as contractors and acceptance of payment for services; and
Stringent monitoring and enforcement
10 DECEMBER 2016
BOX 3: MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY ON SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT
Best Practice Case under Public–Private Partnership at Country Level
Malaysia has developed itself as a pioneer in sewerage and septage management services in the
Asian continent. Around 73% of the urban households in Malaysia are well connected to sewerage
while the remaining 27% (equivalent to 29% septic tank coverage in India) relies on well-managed
septic tank system. The improved sanitation status of the country can be attributed to the hybrid
approach of prioritizing sewerage and septage both as a solution towards integrated sanitation
management, evident through the legislative and institutional reforms, and successful
implementation of the reforms.
A consolidated legal framework was developed along with clearly defined institutional responsibilities
to ensure provision of sewerage and septage services at the national level. For this, the government
passed Sewerage Services Act (SSA) (from 1993 to 2008) and Water Services Industry Act (from
2008) to provide efficiently monitored water and sewerage services in the country. The government
employed a private firm, IWK, which was later nationalized to help them with operation and
maintenance (O&M) of septage management in the country. IWK works closely with government
regulatory bodies to establish policy guidelines along with the operating procedures for the
developers and operators of treatment plants.
The legislative reforms helped delineate proper roles and responsibilities to various institutions
and organizations. Mandatory desludging helped provide scheduled and regular emptying of septic
tanks. Vehicle safety inspection, driver’s medical fitness, adherence to disposal guidelines, use of
personal protective equipment by workers, and many such regulations were put in place. Guidelines
and rules enforced compliance since there was the impending fear of fine and punishment as a
consequence of non-compliance and integration of wastewater as well as water and sanitation
services meant that water supply could also be stopped as a punishment.
The Malaysian authorities also made good use of private sector efficiency and engaged in a
successful partnership with a private firm to improve the situation of sanitation facilities in the
country, which is responsible for developing around 70%–80% of the sanitation infrastructure of
the country.
IWK based their operational scheme on a three-tier approach. First by, it located and restored
old treatment plants, while subsequently developing their septage handling capacity. Secondly, it
used oxidation ponds for septage disposal while identifying and constructing trenching sites where
trees were subsequently planted. Thirdly, it constructed centralized septage management facilities
for densely populated areas. Individual septic tank users participate in desludging programmes and
pay wastewater bills semi-annually.
To summarize, the key success factors for Malaysia to become a pioneer in FSM are:
Clear and bold policy governing septage and sludge management;
Institutional reforms with clear responsibilities of the institutions involved;
Collaborative efforts of the government and private sector to achieve efficient
septage management;
Three-tier approach by IWK helped focus on each aspect of sanitation infrastructure gradually
and develop as well as improve each aspect at a time;
Compulsory training for staff as well as contractors and acceptance of payment for services; and
Stringent monitoring and enforcement
10 DECEMBER 2016
