Highlights•Protozoa andAscarispersisted longer in fecal sludge than bacteria and viruses.•Median T99values for bacteria and viruses were 4.8 and 29 days, respectively.•Median T99values for protozoa andAscariswere >341 and 429 days, respectively.•Pathogen type, design and operational factors explained 67% of variability in decay.•Lime/ash treatment accelerates decay ofAscaris, but possibly only with urea present.