C:N Ratio
The ratio of the mass of carbon to the mass of nitrogen in a substrate used to analyse soil organic matter or soil amendments such as compost.
The ratio of the mass of carbon to the mass of nitrogen in a substrate used to analyse soil organic matter or soil amendments such as compost.
Cash Transfer Programming
A modality of Market-Based Programming with direct transfer of payments to recipients that can be either conditional or unconditional.
A modality of Market-Based Programming with direct transfer of payments to recipients that can be either conditional or unconditional.
Cesspit
An ambiguous term either used to describe a soak pit, leach pit, or a holding tank.
An ambiguous term either used to describe a soak pit, leach pit, or a holding tank.
Chemical Oxygen Demand
A measure of the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic material in water by a strong chemical oxidant (expressed in mg/L). COD is always equal to or higher than BOD since it is the total oxygen required for complete oxidation. It is an indirect measure of the amount of organic material present in water or wastewater: the more the organic content, the more oxygen is required to chemically oxidise it (high COD).
A measure of the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic material in water by a strong chemical oxidant (expressed in mg/L). COD is always equal to or higher than BOD since it is the total oxygen required for complete oxidation. It is an indirect measure of the amount of organic material present in water or wastewater: the more the organic content, the more oxygen is required to chemically oxidise it (high COD).
Cholera Treatment Center
Special medical units to treat cholera.
Special medical units to treat cholera.
Coagulation
The destabilisation of particles in water by adding chemicals (e.g. aluminium sulphate or ferric chloride) so that they can aggregate and form larger flocs.
The destabilisation of particles in water by adding chemicals (e.g. aluminium sulphate or ferric chloride) so that they can aggregate and form larger flocs.
Collective outcomes
Commonly agreed measurable result(s) or impact(s) enhanced by the combined effort of different actors, within their respective mandates, to address and reduce people’s unmet needs, risks and vulnerabilities, increasing their resilience and addressing the root causes of conflict” (OECD 2022).
Commonly agreed measurable result(s) or impact(s) enhanced by the combined effort of different actors, within their respective mandates, to address and reduce people’s unmet needs, risks and vulnerabilities, increasing their resilience and addressing the root causes of conflict” (OECD 2022).
Compost
Decomposed organic matter that results from a controlled aerobic degradation process. Microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) decompose the biodegradable waste components and produce an earth-like, odourless, brown/black material. Compost has excellent soil-conditioning properties and a variable nutrient content. Because of leaching and volatilisation, some of the nutrients may be lost, but the material remains rich in nutrients and organic matter. Generally, excreta or sludge should be composted long enough (2 to 4 months) under thermophilic conditions (55 to 60 °C) in order to be sanitised sufficiently for safe agricultural use.
Decomposed organic matter that results from a controlled aerobic degradation process. Microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) decompose the biodegradable waste components and produce an earth-like, odourless, brown/black material. Compost has excellent soil-conditioning properties and a variable nutrient content. Because of leaching and volatilisation, some of the nutrients may be lost, but the material remains rich in nutrients and organic matter. Generally, excreta or sludge should be composted long enough (2 to 4 months) under thermophilic conditions (55 to 60 °C) in order to be sanitised sufficiently for safe agricultural use.
Composting
The process by which biodegradable components are biologically decomposed by microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) under controlled aerobic conditions.
The process by which biodegradable components are biologically decomposed by microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) under controlled aerobic conditions.
Conflict sensitivity
Ability of a sanitation agencies to understand its operating context, the interaction between its interventions and the context, and act upon this understanding to avoid negative impacts (“do no harm”) and maximise positive impacts on conflict factors ( UNICEF 2020, IASC 2020b).
Ability of a sanitation agencies to understand its operating context, the interaction between its interventions and the context, and act upon this understanding to avoid negative impacts (“do no harm”) and maximise positive impacts on conflict factors ( UNICEF 2020, IASC 2020b).
Constructed Wetlands
A treatment technology for wastewater that aims to replicate the naturally occurring processes in wetlands.
A treatment technology for wastewater that aims to replicate the naturally occurring processes in wetlands.
Container-Based Toilets
Sanitation technology where toilets collect human excreta in sealable, removable containers that are transported to treatment facilities.
Sanitation technology where toilets collect human excreta in sealable, removable containers that are transported to treatment facilities.
Contingency Planning
Preparing a program to be ready to respond effectively in the event of an emergency, which can also be a sudden deterioration of the humanitarian context. It includes to understand the risks and to make decisions how to manage human and financial resources in case of a disaster response. Stockpiling of equipment to protect, rehabilitate or deploy additional sanitation service solutions can be part of contingency planning.
Preparing a program to be ready to respond effectively in the event of an emergency, which can also be a sudden deterioration of the humanitarian context. It includes to understand the risks and to make decisions how to manage human and financial resources in case of a disaster response. Stockpiling of equipment to protect, rehabilitate or deploy additional sanitation service solutions can be part of contingency planning.