Pit additives used for improving the performance of sanitation systems do not work, because "the quantity of bacteria introduced to the pit by dosing additives is insignificant compared to the number already present in the faecal sludge. Similarly, while some additives operate on the logic of adding more nutrients to the sludge to feed bacteria and encourage their growth, faecal sludge is already rich in nutrients." With regards to this situation, effective microorganisms is used for treating polluted waterways caused by faecal sludge, usually mixed with bokashi mudballs, to disinfect and consume sludge and disinfect water.