Cradle to Cradle of Sanitation Value Chain, George Compoun, Lusaka Zambia: A Stakeholder Perspective

Abstract

The study explored sanitation value chain from cradle to cradle in George Compound, Lusaka, Zambia. The study uncovered that pit latrines constructed under the Lusaka sanitation program followed the standard procedures, whereas those constructed by most of the communities in George compound had poor containment, making it difficult to empty them as well as posing risks for the emptiers. Additionally, some of the challenges faced in the Pit emptying services were resources, as well as limited communication and awareness among peoples' occupation in the study area. Additionally, community beneficiaries faced the challenge of their pit latrines filling up quickly because of a culture of solid waste disposal into the pit latrines. Moreover, the study further uncovered the lack of coverage of the faecal sludge and the lack of signage for trucks transporting faecal sludge. Furthermore, the study established a lack of monitoring capacity by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) particularly for the licensed trucks hauling the faecal sludge. Moreover, there is limited capacity for treatment facilities, hence posing a risk of negotiating shortcuts to dump into the open environment. The study further revealed a lack of standards in the treated sludge, which is currently under development by ZEMA and the Zambia Bureau of Standards. The researcher applied both sanitation theory and the systemic Lens, which helped to underscore the need for institutional interdependences and weaving of roles among various sanitation players in the management of the sanitation value chain, while the former helped in the understanding of the Faecal sludge operational and functional aspects of the sanitation systems.