As Municipality prepares for ensuring the construction of standard septic tanks, it is equally important to aware and build the capacity of relevant stakeholders on the standard septic tank design. In this context, ENPHO, in coordination with Mahalaxmi Municipality and the financial support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, organized a one-day training for the consultant engineers and designers registered in Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur to train them on the standard septic tank design. The first batch of training was organized on 9 May 2023 at Hotel Kutumba, Lalitpur.

 FSM By-Laws of Mahalaxmi Municipality, the first ever on-site legal instrument in Nepal – ‘Rajpatra’ publication mentions the mandatory construction of standard septic tank and the building completion certificate is not provided if standard septic tank is not constructed. However, one of the major challenges was the lack of clarity or knowledge on standard septic tank design amongst the consultant engineers or designers in the Municipality. Realizing this problem, Mahalaxmi Municipality initiated the training for them with the technical support of ENPHO. The training further succeeded in providing in-depth information to the participants on standard septic tank design along with the knowledge on Fecal Sludge Management and Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants.

Project Manager of ENPHO Ms. Rosy Singh started the training with brief background on containment improvement initiatives in Mahalaxmi Municipality and its FSM By-Laws. Program Director of ENPHO Mr. Rajendra Shrestha then led the technical session of the training which included session on fecal sludge management, standard septic tank- its importance and proper design, and fecal sludge treatment technologies in Nepal.

The training was further continued for the remaining two groups (second batch, third and final group) of the registered engineers and designers in Mahalaxmi Municipality on 19 May 2023 and 8 June 2023 at Shangrila Blu Hotel, Kupondole, Lalitpur and Entrance Café, Chakupat, Lalitpur, respectively.

The Training on “Standard Septic Tank Design” was provided to a total of 55 registered engineers of Mahalaxmi out of 76 registered engineers from Mahalaxmi Municipality. The standard septic tank design manual along with other relevant publications developed by ENPHO were also handed over to the participants for the reference.

 “We didn’t have a proper practice of designing on standard septic tank, as we only show a box showing septic tank in a design to submit in municipality for building permit. However, after this training we understand the steps and importance of baffle wall, two compartments and soak pit in the design of standard septic tank. Now onwards, we can develop a design of standard septic tank for the clients,” Mr. Sakshyam Ghimire, Consultant Engineer, Mahalaxmi Municipality.

“The standard septic tank is neglected topic for engineers; however, it is equally important for a technical person to understand its standardization and its effect in groundwater and environment. It was fruitful training session, and we are hopeful for the implementation in the field,” Mr. Indra Bhakta Maskey, Consultant Engineer of Mahalaxmi Municipality.