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Investigation Into Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying April 2009

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Investigation Into Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying April 2009 WRC PROJECT 1745 Management of sludge accumulation in VIP latrines Investigation into Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying April 2009 by Mark O’Riordan Mark O’Riordan Investigation of Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying Page - i Executive Summary Improving sanitation is now increasingly being recognized as a key factor in ending poverty; providing basic sanitation has been included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) under target 10 of halving the proportion of people without access to adequate basic sanitation by 2015. In an attempt to reach this MDG target many developing countries have embarked on the construction of pit latrines and improved sanitation in people’s homes. An emerging challenge that is resulting from this work is what to do when the latrines are full. If they are to be emptied how should the waste be extracted, where should the waste go and what should be done to it and with it? The approaches to meeting this question are the focus of this report. The report aims to summarise all information currently available to PID resulting from; • General research • Durban’s pit latrine emptying programme • Work with the Vacutug on loan from UN Habitat • A visit to UN Habitat in Nairobi • Site visit to Vacutug facilitating charity Maji na Ufanisi working in Kibera, Nairobi • Design and development work on the ‘Gobbler’ The main part this report is a fairly high level introduction to the issue of faecal sludge management. Where details and information have been readily available the report goes into further depth. A large section of this report focuses on assessment of the United Nations Vacutug project in an attempt to build guidance for the development of a successful latrine exhausting system. PiD’s trail work with the UN Vacutug is detailed and an update on progress made in the development of the Gobbler is given. Other established latrine exhaustion systems are also discussed, and there is a discussion of how the waste can be transported once it is extracted. Some of the options for waste disposal are considered. The report concludes with recommendations for the research work going forward. A pit latrine emptier, or “frogman”, at work in Dar es Salaam Partners in Development (Pty) Ltd April 2009 Investigation of Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying Page - ii Table of Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................................i Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 1 Storing of Excreta...................................................................................................................3 1.1 Provision of Improved Sanitation ..................................................................................3 1.1.1 Pit Latrines.................................................................................................................3 1.1.2 The full range ...........................................................................................................4 1.2 The full excreta storage dilemma.................................................................................6 1.3 VIP waste...........................................................................................................................6 1.4 Septic tank waste ............................................................................................................6 2 Removal of Excreta ...............................................................................................................7 2.1 Pure Manual Exhaustion .................................................................................................7 2.1.1 Aids to Manual Emptying......................................................................................8 2.2 Semi Mechanized Emptying..........................................................................................9 2.2.1 The MAPET System ..................................................................................................9 2.2.2 The Gulper..............................................................................................................12 2.2.3 The Nibbler .............................................................................................................12 2.2.4 The Gobbler...........................................................................................................13 2.3 Fully Mechanized Emptying.........................................................................................15 2.3.1 Vacuum tanker .....................................................................................................15 2.3.2 The Microvac.........................................................................................................16 2.3.3 The Dung Beetle....................................................................................................17 2.3.4 The Vacutug ..........................................................................................................18 2.3.5 Conclusions drawn on vacuum based approaches ....................................34 2.3.6 The Maqunieta Maputo ......................................................................................35 2.3.7 Solid Liquid separators .........................................................................................37 2.3.8 Diaphragm pumps ...............................................................................................37 2.4 Conclusions drawn from this chapter........................................................................38 3 Transferring of Excreta to a place of disposal................................................................40 3.1 Integrated carting .........................................................................................................40 3.2 Manual Carting..............................................................................................................40 3.3 Mechanised Carting .....................................................................................................41 3.3.1 The UN-HABITAT 2 wheel tractor.........................................................................41 3.3.2 The trike...................................................................................................................42 3.3.3 The modular machine .........................................................................................42 3.3.4 Storage Tanks ........................................................................................................44 3.4 Conclusions on carting issues......................................................................................44 4 Treatment and Disposal......................................................................................................46 4.1 What to do with the waste ..........................................................................................46 4.2 Treatment and disposal methods...............................................................................46 5 Conclusions and Recommendations for Further work .................................................48 5.1 Design ..............................................................................................................................50 5.1.1 Archimedean spirals ............................................................................................50 5.1.2 Belt drive.................................................................................................................51 5.1.3 Solid liquid separator............................................................................................51 5.1.4 Transfer stations .....................................................................................................52 5.2 Development..................................................................................................................54 5.2.1 A light weight vacuum approach.....................................................................54 5.2.2 Gobbler ..................................................................................................................55 5.2.3 Complete testing of Vacutug............................................................................56 5.2.4 Research on available tools to assist Manual Exhaustion.............................56 5.2.5 VIPs with integrated Suction hoses....................................................................56 6 References ............................................................................................................................58 7 Appendices ..........................................................................................................................59 Partners in Development (Pty) Ltd April 2009 Investigation of Methods of Pit Latrine Emptying Page - iii 7.1 Notes on Visit to UN Habitat in Nairobi ......................................................................59 7.1.1 Minutes from meeting at UN-HABITAT...............................................................59 7.1.2 Minutes and notes from meeting with Maji na Ufanisi ..................................63 7.2 Partner conclusions on Vacutug trials .......................................................................67 7.2.1 Bangladesh (manufacturer) and user..............................................................67 7.2.2 India.........................................................................................................................67
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