Faecal sludge emptying services in Trinidad

Onsite sanitation facilities meet the sanitation needs of 2.7 billion people worldwide and the number is expected to increase to 5 billion by the year 2030. 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. Despite a high percentage of households in T&T have ‘improved’ sanitation facilities, the management of faecal waste downstream of households is severely neglected. Therefore, this research study focused on the first two stages of the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) service chain (storage and emptying) by exploring the challenges encountered by faecal sludge emptying service providers in Trinidad as well as determined factors of households’ satisfaction with emptying providers’ services. The study used an exploratory qualitative case study research approach, and applied qualitative and quantitative data collection sources. Both public and private emptying providers’ had an equal chance of being hired in Trinidad. The lack of safe and adequate faecal sludge disposal facilities and frequent truck downtime were the main challenge for public FS emptying providers in Trinidad. From the household survey respondents satisfaction scores were highest for: the time taken to clean their septic tank; a clean service; the ease of accessing the septic tank; and the equipment used, while the price charge for emptying and the time taken for the provider to respond after an appointment was made, were the lowest scored satisfaction factors. In T&T, FS is not managed, budgetary investments towards onsite sanitation are almost invisible, and the population is unaware of the implications and importance of safe faecal sludge management. A vital recommendation aimed at addressing Trinidad’s FSM problems involves the participation of a committed local organisation that is willing to champion sanitation through appropriate budget allocations and establishing an enabling environment that supports all the stakeholders involved.