Quantification and characterization of solid waste in pit latrines of urban informal settlements for appropriate management

Abstract

More than half of the global population lives in urban areas. This figure is projected to increase to 75 percent by 2050, at a growing rate of 65 million urban dwellers annually (Awumbila, 2017). Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is often regarded as the world's fastest urbanizing region. Urbanization is accompanied by the growth of informal settlements both in population and size. Informal settlements are characterised by deplorable living conditions, poor sanitation is one of them (Tsinda et al., 2013). These informal settlements remain of high concern as regards sanitation which is one of the targets under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kampala is facing a rapid rate of urbanisation which is accompanied by an increase in population and rapid growth in size and number of informal settlements. According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources 53.6% of the city‟s population dwell within informal settlements as of 2014. Therefore, the generation of solid waste by the slum dwellers is considerably high, but the collection services are poor.