Fecal Sludge is often processed through a series of treatment steps to first separate the liquids from the solids, and then treat both the liquid and solid trains while recovering as much of the energy or nutritive value as possible. Common processes at fecal sludge treatment plants include:
* Fecal sludge reception – where the truck interfaces with the treatment plant and sludge is unloaded. 
* Preliminary treatment – to remove garbage, sand, grit, and FOG (fats, oil and grease)
* Primary treatment – simple separation of liquid and solids by physical means (dewatering and thickening), e.g. with drying beds
* Liquids treatment – for example by using constructed wetlands, waste stabilization ponds, anaerobic digesters 
* Solids processing – using the solids resulting from fecal sludge treatment for beneficial use where possible.
Constructed wetlands are gaining attention as a low-cost treatment technology that can be constructed in many instances using local materials and labor. For sites with enough land and a ready supply of gravel and sand, this technology offers low cost, scalability, and simple operation.