Ifill-2813.pdf (1.01 MB)
Download fileFaecal sludge emptying services in Trinidad
conference contribution
posted on 2018-02-12, 15:11 authored by Shervon Ifill, Sam KayagaOnsite 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.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
- Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)