Assessing the risks involved in the operationalization of faecal sludge management processes in institutions located in Bushenyi district
Abstract
Improved sanitation relays the opportunity to save lives of millions of people who have succumbed
to diarrhea and other sanitation related diseases. One important component of sanitation
management is Faecal Sludge Management which encompasses management of sanitation systems
and services. The purpose of this study is to assess the risks involved in the operationalization of
faecal sludge management process in institutions located Bushenyi district. The study was guided
by the following research objectives; To describe and the processes of faecal sludge management
and their associated risks in Bushenyi district and to examine and characterize the properties that
indicate contamination during the process of faecal sludge management in Bushenyi district. To
this end the study conducted key informant discussions with two key informants and collected
samples from a swamp in which faecal sludge is deposited. The study discovered that that two
major onsite collection methods were being utilized namely; septic tanks and VIP latrines. The
study identified foul smell, leakages, and exposure to disease causing germs as the major risks
associated with the use of the aforementioned onsite collection methods.
New comers, people aged above 50 years and cigarette smokers were identified to be at greater
risks of being affected adversely by the foul odour. Onsite collection facilities were seen to expose
users to disease causing germs associated with faecal matter. The study further discovered that
emptying of onsite collection facilities is done both manually and mechanically. Mechanically,
emptying is done using emptying trucks which have pumps and pipes that suck the sludge out of
the collection facilities. Manually, people go down into the collection facilities and use small jerry
cans to remove the sludge. The risks involved in the emptying process include solid waste in VIP
latrines, leakages while emptying, and the foul smell. To mitigate the above mentioned risks,
emptiers wear protective gear, treat the sludge before contact, and train in skills necessary. Faecal
sludge is transported using emptying trucks and deposited in water bodies or treatment plants. The
study also discovered that the water at the point of deposition was more contaminated than at the
points 100 meters away from it. The study suggested further research into fill up and emptying
rates of faecal sludge to be done for individual sectors like the hospitality sector, education sector,
industrial sector, etc.