Glossary

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AMRUT: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation - A government initiative focused on providing basic services to urban areas including water supply, sewerage, and urban transport.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): A measure of the amount of oxygen required by bacteria to decompose organic matter in water or wastewater. Lower BOD indicates better water quality.
BPL (Below Poverty Line): Economic benchmark used by the government to identify economically disadvantaged individuals and households eligible for subsidized services.
Biosolids: Dried sludge obtained from planted drying beds after treatment, rich in nutrients (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus) and used as soil conditioner for agriculture.

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): A measure of the total quantity of oxygen required to oxidize all organic material in water or wastewater.
Co-treatment: The process of treating fecal sludge together with sewage at existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) that have spare capacity.
Containment System: Any system that contains human excreta, including septic tanks, single pits, twin pits, and holding tanks.

DDWS: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation - A department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for rural drinking water supply and sanitation.
DPR (Detailed Project Report): A comprehensive document that provides technical, financial, and implementation details for infrastructure projects including FSTPs.
DSO (Desludging Service Operator): Service providers who specialize in the safe and efficient emptying, collection, and transportation of fecal sludge from on-site sanitation systems.
Desludging: The process of removing accumulated sludge from septic tanks, pits, or other containment systems using mechanical or manual methods.

FSM (Fecal Sludge Management): The complete process of collecting, transporting, treating, and safely disposing or reusing fecal sludge from on-site sanitation systems.
FSSM (Fecal Sludge and Septage Management): Comprehensive management approach covering policy, regulation, and operations for handling fecal sludge and septage.
FSTP (Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant): A facility specifically designed for treating fecal sludge, typically using technologies like drying beds, planted drying beds, or mechanical dewatering.
Fecal Sludge (FS): The mixture of human excreta, water, and solid wastes that accumulates in on-site sanitation systems such as septic tanks and pit latrines.

Gram Panchayat: The local self-government organization at the village level in rural India, responsible for administration and development activities.

IEC (Information, Education, and Communication): Strategies and campaigns designed to create public awareness and behavioral change regarding safe sanitation practices.

KLD (Kilolitres per Day): A unit of measurement for the volume of liquid (water or sludge) processed or generated daily. 1 KLD = 1,000 liters per day.

MoHUA: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs - The central government ministry responsible for urban development, housing, and urban poverty alleviation.

O&M (Operation and Maintenance): The ongoing activities required to keep treatment facilities and equipment functioning properly.
OSS (On-Site Sanitation): Sanitation systems where human waste is collected and stored or treated at the location where it is generated, such as septic tanks and pit latrines.

PDB (Planted Drying Beds): Drying beds with vegetation that enhance drainage and solid stabilization through plant transpiration, ideal for decentralized settings.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards, including gloves, masks, boots, and protective clothing used by desludging operators.
PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution): Local self-government institutions at village, block, and district levels in rural India.

SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission): India's nationwide cleanliness campaign launched in 2014 to achieve universal sanitation coverage and eliminate open defecation.
SDB (Sludge Drying Beds): Simple, cost-effective technology for dewatering and drying fecal sludge through natural evaporation and drainage.
STP (Sewage Treatment Plant): A facility designed to treat wastewater from sewer networks using physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Septage: The liquid and solid material pumped from a septic tank, cesspool, or other primary treatment source.
Septic Tank: An underground chamber that receives wastewater from toilets, allowing solids to settle and partially decompose before the liquid effluent flows out.
Soak Pit: A covered, porous-walled chamber that allows liquid effluent from a septic tank to slowly seep into the surrounding soil.

TSS (Total Suspended Solids): A measure of the solid particles suspended in water or wastewater, used as an indicator of water quality.
Twin Pit System: A sanitation system with two alternating pits, where one pit is used while the contents of the other pit decompose and can be safely emptied.

ULB (Urban Local Body): Local self-government institutions in urban areas, including municipal corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats.

WASH: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene - A collective term for activities and programs related to safe water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion.