UV-LED Technology for Disinfection of Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant Effluent — Field Evaluation
Access to effective wastewater disinfection remains a critical challenge in low-resource and humanitarian settings. Current approaches — primarily chlorination and incineration — face operational constraints, inconsistent performance, and risks from harmful disinfection by-products. This literature summary presents the background, scope, and preliminary framework for a field evaluation of UV-LED technology as a scalable, context-appropriate alternative for disinfecting fecal sludge treatment plant effluent. Building on laboratory research led by the University of British Columbia (UBC) through a Mitacs-funded partnership with CAWST, this project tests the UV-LED reactor under real operating conditions at a CDD site. The collaboration brings together UBC's technical and scientific expertise, CAWST's applied research and knowledge translation role, and CDD's site access and operational experience. The evaluation is structured across four phases: planning and experimental design; installation and commissioning; field testing and monitoring; and data analysis and reporting. Key performance indicators include E. coli reduction, UV transmittance (UVT), energy consumption, fouling behaviour, and operational feasibility under low-resource conditions. Findings will inform practical O&M guidelines, predictive models for scale-up, and recommendations for implementation in similar contexts globally. A final technical report and optional peer-reviewed publication are planned as outputs. This resource is intended for WASH practitioners, researchers, and programme managers working on wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management, and disinfection in low-resource and humanitarian settings. References: Beck, S. E., et al. (2025). Disinfection of wastewater effluent in low-resource and humanitarian contexts. UBC / Mitacs Proposal. SANIHUB. (2024). Disinfection processes of fecal sludge in humanitarian and protracted contexts: Concept note. Nyangaresi, P. O., Rathnayake, T., & Beck, S. E. (2023). Evaluation of UV-LED disinfection efficacy. Science of the Total Environment, 859.
UV-LED Technology for Disinfection of Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant Effluent — Field Evaluation
Access to effective wastewater disinfection remains a critical challenge in low-resource and humanitarian settings. Current approaches — primarily chlorination and incineration — face operational constraints, inconsistent performance, and risks from harmful disinfection by-products. This literature summary presents the background, scope, and preliminary framework for a field evaluation of UV-LED technology as a scalable, context-appropriate alternative for disinfecting fecal sludge treatment plant effluent. Building on laboratory research led by the University of British Columbia (UBC) through a Mitacs-funded partnership with CAWST, this project tests the UV-LED reactor under real operating conditions at a CDD site. The collaboration brings together UBC's technical and scientific expertise, CAWST's applied research and knowledge translation role, and CDD's site access and operational experience. The evaluation is structured across four phases: planning and experimental design; installation and commissioning; field testing and monitoring; and data analysis and reporting. Key performance indicators include E. coli reduction, UV transmittance (UVT), energy consumption, fouling behaviour, and operational feasibility under low-resource conditions. Findings will inform practical O&M guidelines, predictive models for scale-up, and recommendations for implementation in similar contexts globally. A final technical report and optional peer-reviewed publication are planned as outputs. This resource is intended for WASH practitioners, researchers, and programme managers working on wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management, and disinfection in low-resource and humanitarian settings. References: Beck, S. E., et al. (2025). Disinfection of wastewater effluent in low-resource and humanitarian contexts. UBC / Mitacs Proposal. SANIHUB. (2024). Disinfection processes of fecal sludge in humanitarian and protracted contexts: Concept note. Nyangaresi, P. O., Rathnayake, T., & Beck, S. E. (2023). Evaluation of UV-LED disinfection efficacy. Science of the Total Environment, 859.
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CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed engineering firm. We address the global need for safe drinking water and sanitation by building local knowledge and skills on household solutions people can implement themselves.