Pits, on the other hand, are generally unlined. They are also not dislodged regularly. More importantly, they are often built in areas where the percolate from the pits may mix and contaminate the groundwater. Peri-urban and rural regions of the Global South primarily rely on groundwater for potable water needs. Thus, Contamination of Groundwater/Surface water becomes commonplace in such scenarios.

All of this, combined, leads to a public health challenge. In the context of poor hygiene behaviors prevalent among low-income groups – vector and water-borne diseases become a norm. Unsafe disposal into agricultural fields could lead to food chain contamination – again having a debilitating effect on the consumers of food grown through untreated FS.

Thus Poor/Marginalized communities become more vulnerable as a result. There is a need to build resilience amongst the communities to cope with the vagaries of climate change.

Last but not least, lack of FSM results in the Breakage of the nutrient loop. Faecal Sludge is rich in Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium (NPK) which is helpful for soil nourishment Lack of FSM breaks the nutrient chain, and NPK doesn't go back to the soil and eventually to food production. Expensive and unsustainable chemical fertilizers get applied to the soil as a result. On the one hand, the nutrient loop is not closed; on the other, environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers are deployed on a significant scale. Treated FS presents a much better and more sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.