African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1134

Review

A comparative study of faecal sludge management in Malawi and Zambia: Status, challenges and opportunities in pit latrine emptying

Rochelle Holm
  • Rochelle Holm
  • Mzuzu University, Private Bag 201, Mzuzu 2, Malawi.
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James Madalitso Tembo
  • James Madalitso Tembo
  • University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
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Bernard Thole
  • Bernard Thole
  • University of Malawi, Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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  •  Received: 17 July 2015
  •  Accepted: 21 September 2015
  •  Published: 30 November 2015

Abstract

This review paper covers the issues of pit latrine emptying national policies and regulations with a focus on Malawi and Zambia. With 2.4 billion people worldwide still lacking improved sanitation facilities, developing countries need to look at policy, regulation and practice for household sanitation service provision with a new lens. What happens “next,” when improved sanitation facilities eventually become full? An emphasis on faecal sludge management has multiplied this important issue in the past few years. The authors compare the pit latrine emptying situation in Malawi and Zambia with a focus on status, challenges and opportunities. To build this comparison, a desk review of national policies, local regulations and peer-reviewed journal papers was conducted. The paper concludes that existing national policies and regulations taking faecal sludge management into account are weak and have wide gaps in the two study countries. For the future, it is recommended, first, that household pit latrine emptying should be seen as an opportunity to address national sanitation gaps and, second, national policies and regulations need to be evaluated and updated.
 
Key words: Faecal sludge management, pit latrine, policy, private sector, sanitation.