Parametric Analysis of Sanitation Technologies for Sustainable Fecal Sludge Management: A Case of Eldoret Municipality, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Abstract
Globally, there exists need for equitable sanitation to ensure Sustainable city wide inclusive sanitation in most urban areas. In Eldoret, the municipal authorities need to be provided with informing tools and plans primarily based on sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study aimed at Parametric Analysis of sanitation technologies for sustainable fecal sludge management strategies by use of a shit flow diagram generated from the research amongst urban population of Eldoret town. The key Parameters of sanitation technologies were based on the handling and treatment of fecal sludge along the sanitation service chain and this entailed; user interface, containment, transport/conveyance, treatment and final disposal/ end use. The shit flow diagram enabled tracking flow of excreta from the user interface to the final end use/disposal. The Parametric Analysis of sanitation technologies in the shit flow diagram pointed out sustainable strategies for fecal sludge management at the study area. The study advocated interventions on partnerships between the county government, community-based organizations, private partners and non-governmental organizations in ensuring sanitation utilities apply pro-poor initiatives for reforms. Data collection involved use of questionnaires, guided interviews with the key stakeholders in sanitation sector especially the county public health officers and sanitation workers from Eldoret Water and Sewerage Company. Focused group discussions were used amongst the local population to collect information on their views on sanitation service provision. Data analytical tools including the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 29) software were used for analysis of quantitative data collected in the questionnaires. The data was analyzed to percentages and ascertain the coverage of various sanitation technologies used in the town. The city sanitation service delivery assessment (CSDA) was used to provide information on the main actions to be undertaken by various stakeholders to improve on sanitation service delivery. Data collected from the key informant interviews with sanitation stakeholders was entered in an SFD generator tool software to generate the graphic showing how fecal sludge is managed in the municipality. The CSDA tool provided the main strategies to be undertaken by every stakeholder in ensuring sustainable urban fecal sludge management. The study indicated that 40% of Eldoret municipality is covered by sewer network and 64% of the fecal sludge generated were safely managed while the remaining 36% were unsafely managed. The population practicing open defecation comprised 3% of the urban population and the average ground water level was found to be below five meters. The results showed the main issues contributing to inequitable sanitation service provision in Eldoret town. The data obtained indicated that some areas in the municipality were lacking the coverage of sewer networks and there is a generally high water table hence contributed to ground water contamination. This analysis recommended the use of appropriate technologies in the containment of fecal sludge and also improvement of sewer coverage in the areas for sustainable fecal sludge management. The study findings are to be used as an advocacy tool for sustainable management of fecal sludge by key sanitation stakeholders.