Performance of Municipality Waste Treatment Plant with Special Focus on Shibganj Waste Treatment Plant

Abstract

This study examines the current performance and utilization of solid and fecal waste management systems in Shibganj Municipality, with particular focus on the Integrated Waste Management Plant (IWMP). Despite the establishment of formal collection and treatment facilities, findings reveal significant gaps between waste generation, collection, and treatment. On average, only 1 tone/day of municipal solid waste is transported to the IWMP, against a design capacity of 5.5 tons/day, resulting in a utilization rate of approximately 18.18%. Similarly, fecal sludge treatment at the IWMP shows underperformance, with actual throughput representing only 15–18% of plant capacity (The Fecal treatment plant capacity is 45 m³/day). These results indicate that the treatment facilities remain substantially underutilized due to limited collection efficiency, inadequate transportation, and reliance on informal or unregulated disposal practices. The underperformance of the plants undermines their environmental and public health benefits, highlighting the need for improved collection mechanisms, community engagement, and institutional coordination. This research provides critical insights for optimizing waste management systems and ensuring sustainable urban sanitation services in secondary towns of Bangladesh. Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Fecal Sludge Management, Integrated Waste Management Plant (IWMP), Treatment Plant Utilization, Collection Efficiency, Municipal Waste, Waste Disposal Practices, Environmental Sustainability, Public Health, Bangladesh