Faecal sludge emptying services in Trinidad

Onsite sanitation facilities meet the sanitation needs of 2.7 billion people worldwide. In Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) 70% of the population needs are met by on-site sanitation facilities which are predominantly toilets draining to septic tanks. Using a case study methodology, a study was conducted in 2016 to explore how faecal sludge emptying services are conducted in T&T. Main findings included (i) both public and private emptying providers’ had an equal chance of being hired in Trinidad; (ii) lack of safe/adequate faecal sludge disposal facilities and frequent truck downtime were the main challenges for public FS emptying providers; and (iii) the two main factors for customer satisfaction are clean-up after the emptying operation, and ability to completely empty the tank. A vital recommendation is the need to identify and commission a sector leading organisation which will champion sanitation policies and strategies; and provide an enabling environment for other stakeholders.