Contextual investigation of factors affecting sludge accumulation rates in lined pit latrines within Kampala slum areas, Uganda

Authors

  • Ahamada Zziwa Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Yvonne Lugali Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Joshua Wanyama Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Noble Banadda Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Isa Kabenge Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Robert Kambugu Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Florence Kyazze Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Julia B Kigozi Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
  • Peter Tumutegyereize Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v42i3.15

Keywords:

sludge accumulation rates, slum areas, faecal matter, degradation, lined pit latrines

Abstract

Pit latrines in slums areas of Uganda fill up faster than might be expected from some estimates owing to inappropriate use and failure to consider critical factors affecting sludge accumulation rates at the planning, design and construction stages. This study sought to investigate factors affecting filling rates of lined pit latrines in slum areas of Kampala with the goal of contributing to accurate planning, design, construction, emptying and overall maintenance. Fifty-five pit latrines were selected from the five divisions of Kampala city using stratified random sampling. Data collected included: number of users, frequency of emptying, years taken since last emptying, type of non-faecal materials deposited, cross-sectional dimensions of the pit, rate of sludge degradation and geo-physical factors of pit location. Methods used were: field surveys, questionnaires and key informant interviews plus on-site depth measurement. Mass loss tests to investigate the rate of sludge degradation were carried out in the laboratory at moisture content levels similar to those in pit latrines. Sludge accumulation rates were calculated using volume of sludge in the pit, number of users and time taken since last emptying. Statistical analyses included correlation and one-way ANOVA. Results revealed that number of users and type of material deposited in the pit latrines, especially non-faecal matter, had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on sludge accumulation rate. Public pit latrines with a higher number of users had lower sludge accumulation rates and this was attributed to greater degradation taking place and greater restriction on entry of non-faecal matter. The rate of sludge degradation was higher at 90–100% than 80–90% moisture content, due to better degradation conditions. Tighter restrictions on non-faecal material deposition into pit latrines are recommended to reduce filling rates of pit latrines in slum areas.

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Published

2016-07-29

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 3 July (2016): Water SA

Section

Research paper

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Ahamada Zziwa, Yvonne Lugali, Joshua Wanyama, Noble Banadda, Isa Kabenge, Robert Kambugu, Florence Kyazze, Julia B Kigozi, Peter Tumutegyereize

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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How to Cite

Ahamada Zziwa (2016) “Contextual investigation of factors affecting sludge accumulation rates in lined pit latrines within Kampala slum areas, Uganda”, Water SA, 42(3 July). doi:10.4314/wsa.v42i3.15.