A-B

Aerobic

With oxygen; the term usually applies to microbial decomposition processes that take place where air is present (5)

Affordability

Ability to pay for a product or service (13)

Agricultural waste

Waste that comes from farming (1)

Anaerobic

Without oxygen; the term usually applies to microbial decomposition that takes place in the absence of air (5)

Anaerobic digestion

Decomposition of organic material by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas (5)

Anaerobic pond

First stage in a waste stabilisation pond system that consists of a deep pond where anaerobic decomposition takes place (6)

Arborloo

A type of composting latrine that does not require emptying. when the pit is full, a tree is planted in it and a new pit is dug (5)

Ash content

Percentage of solid material remaining when all the combustible material in a waste has been burned (7)

Bacteria

Simple, single-celled microscopic organisms (2)

Baseline data

Data collected at the start of an intervention to provide comparison for the data collected later (15)

Baseline position

The situation in an area before the start of an intervention (such as the launch of a wash programme) (3)

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

Amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms to break down the organic material in an effluent (4)

Biodegradable

Capable of being broken down by biological processes (7)

Biodegradation

Breaking down (decomposition) of organic substances by bacteria and other micro-organisms (4)

Biogas

Mixture of methane (about 60%) and carbon dioxide produced by decomposition of organic material by micro-organisms (5)

Biogas latrine

Type of latrine where the excreta undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas (5)

Blackwater

Wastewater that contains urine and faeces (1)