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R Number:
R4857
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Contractor:
WEDC, Loughborough University
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Dates:
September 1994 to March 1997
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At community level, supply driven approaches to sanitation have frequently been translated into a preference for waterborne sewerage systems, despite their history of poor performance, management and operation. Some authorities and sector professionals feel that whilst on-plot sanitation might be appropriate in rural areas, it was generally unsuitable in towns, unless regarded as a (preferably short-term) route to 'better' forms of sanitation. Notions that tend to prevail among professionals include the idea that household latrines are unsuitable on small plots, that latrine systems are malodorous and an insect nuisance, and that most householders find these systems unacceptable.
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Executive Summary
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Objectives
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To investigate how satisfactory and suitable on-plot sanitation is in the urban context, and to develop guidance on its use for policy makers and professional staff of urban governments, development agencies and non-governmental organisations
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Methodology
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Literature review
Household surveys (1843 cases) in urban districts of Accra (Ghana), Maputo (Mozambique) and Vijayawada (India)
Postal survey (58 cases) with engineers, administrators, health workers and government officials with responsibility for provision of low cost sanitation in urban areas
Semi-structured interviews (15 cases) with staff from a variety of implementing agencies
Quantitative testing on latrine superstructures (for odour and insect nuisance)
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Results And Conclusions
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The research demonstrated that there were strong indications of positive user satisfaction, with analysis of results tending to counter some of the assumptions surrounding on-plot sanitation systems. Relevant operational findings from the study included the following:
High degrees of user satisfaction were expressed for all latrine types except bucket/pan latrines;
Poverty and indebtedness are the key reasons for the absence of household latrines
Small plot size does not place conspicuous constraints on the use of household latrines
Odour and insect nuisance are not noted as a significant problem by users
The pollution of groundwater from on-plot sanitation is a potential hazard, but not necessarily a risk
Policy indications arising from the research were as follows:
On-plot sanitation systems are appropriate for low-income urban areas. The research indicates that a variety of systems were found to be working well on small plot sizes, with limited odour or insect nuisance, without significant operational problems and to the satisfaction of the end user.
There exists a significant gulf between perceptions among professionals and those of the community in respect of the appropriateness of on-plot sanitation systems. Professionals' understanding of key issues such as insect or odour nuisance, or the operational problems associated with on-plot systems must be advised by the opinions and perceptions of those who actually use the systems.
In planning sanitation interventions, programme staff must be sensitive to the social and cultural context in which decisions about sanitation are made, if widespread community adoption of programmes is to follow.
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Further Information
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List of Publications
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Cotton, A.P. and Saywell, D.L. (1998) On-Plot Sanitation in Low Income Urban Communities: Guidelines for Selection. WEDC, Loughborough University
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Contact Details for Further Information
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A.P. Cotton and D.L. Saywell
WEDC, Loughborough University
Leicestershire LE11 3TU
UK
Tel: +44 1509 222885
Fax: +44 1509 211079
Email: d.l.saywell@lboro.ac.uk
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