Pit latrine faecal sludge accumulation: assessment of trends and determinants in low-income settlements, Nakuru, Kenya

Sustainable pit latrine services face numerous challenges despite their sanitation role in non-sewerage connected settlements. This study was carried in 5 low income settlements in Nakuru, Kenya. Its objectives were to assess pit latrine user management and sludge accumulation rates. 100 households were surveyed and fill-up in 73 pit latrines monitored. Operational period average was 15 years, 23 people shared a pit latrine, 61% of the facilities had solid waste disposal and 45% of the respondents had no sanitation awareness. Sludge accumulation ranged from -0.98 to 10.32 m3, fill up rate was 0.87±0.20 m3 per year and individual contribution was 41.82 liters annually. The sludge accumulation rates across the study areas had statistically significant mean difference (Fishers Exact Test, p<0.05). The relationship between user activities, operational management and design affect performance. Hence linking the variables would scale up outcomes. Key words: Faecal sludge, shared sanitation, latrine fill-up, basic sanitation.