Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations in the sanitation sector. A full list of sanitation-related abbreviations can be found in Wikipedia here. Anyone is welcome to add to the list as anyone can edit Wikipedia.
You could also use Wikipedia as a glossary. The sanitation-related content on Wikipedia is getting better and better all the time thanks to the volunteers behind the WikiProject Sanitation since October 2014. If you would like to contribute your time to this project please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or read here on our Discussion Forum.
- BMGF - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- CLTS - Community-led total sanitation
- DEWATS - Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System
- FSM - Faecal sludge management
- MDG - Millennium Development Goal
- MENA - Middle East and North Africa
- MHM - Menstrual hygiene management
- NGO - Non-governmental organization
- ODF - Open defecation free
- SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG6 - Sustainable Development Goal Number 6
- UDDT - Urine-diverting dry toilet
- WASH - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
For technical terms of the sanitation system we recommend that you consult the glossary of the Eawag-Sandec "Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies".