by Zaitun Kanenje, Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company, Kenya
Download storyOn-site sanitation systems (OSSs), such as septic tanks and pit latrines, are a critical component of ensuring access to toilets in both rural and urban areas, and this is not limited to underdeveloped countries. OSSs currently serves more than 2.7 billion people worldwide, with that figure expected to rise to 4.9 billion by 2030. Despite improvements toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to increase access to improved sanitation, investments in subsequent steps, such as the safe collection, disposal and treatment of faecal sludge (FS) from OSSs, remain a significant challenge.
In Nakuru, sanitation is a critical urban challenge. There is little support directed towards urban sanitation as most of the political and financial support has been focused towards other avenues not related to sanitation technologies. Much of the efforts by the local and international actors has been particularly focused on rural areas and therefore the situation regarding pit emptying is less controlled which is a major challenge given the exponential rate of urbanization in Kenya.
In view of urban growth rates and more populations living in urban areas, proper urban sanitation technology is essential in improving the quality of life in urban areas. Urban geographical locations call for different models of pit emptying. To address this Nawassco, Finish Mondial Kenya and Waterworx have developed different technologies, designs and strategies that cover the technical issues such as rapid population growth, obsolete infrastructure, minimal space, high cost of sustainable materials and insufficient water supply observed in most urban areas. Different pit emptying options are provided to the populace for adoption, depending on geographical, spatial, economic and preference factors.
On-site sanitation methods include toilets that are linked up to septic tanks and pit latrines. Offsite sanitation methods included flush toilets that are hooked up to the sewer system. Most of the people, though, used pit latrines, the cost of which was paid for by the plot owners. In Nakuru, faeces, toilet paper, flush water, grey water, chemicals, and solid waste like clothes, shoes, bottles, sanitary pads, waste vegetables, hair, condoms and other things make up faecal sludge. This therefore provides the need for suitable pit emptying technologies.
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