Citywide Inclusive Sanitation and Faecal Sludge Management in Zambia: Addressing Challenges and the Role of Pit Emptiers

In Zambia, sanitation remains a pressing public health and environmental concern, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities where on-site sanitation systems such as pit latrines dominate. While efforts have been made toward improving water supply, sanitation lags behind, often neglected in development conversations. Faecal sludge management (FSM) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe collection, treatment, and disposal of waste, but it is set upon with numerous challenges. This post delves into the complex realities of FSM in Zambia, particularly highlighting the often overlooked plight of pit emptiers who are crucial yet marginalized players in this sanitation chain.

Understanding Faecal Sludge Management (FSM)

FSM encompasses the collection, transport, treatment, and safe disposal or reuse of faecal sludge from on-site sanitation systems (Strande al., 2014). In Zambia, over 70% of urban households rely on pit latrines and septic tanks (MLGH, 2016), yet infrastructure and policies to manage the resulting sludge are either inadequate or poorly implemented. As a result, untreated faecal sludge often contaminates water sources and living environments, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Challenges in Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS)

Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) promotes equitable access to safely managed sanitation services for all, including marginalized communities (WSUP, 2019). However, Zambia faces countless challenges in implementing CWIS:

1. Policy Gaps and Weak Enforcement: National sanitation policies often lack clarity on FSM, and where policies exist, enforcement is weak (Tembo & Banda, 2017).
2. Lack of Infrastructure: There is a deficit of treatment facilities, vacuum trucks, and containment solutions that can support safe FSM.
3. Financial Constraints: Municipalities lack funding to support FSM programmes, while households often cannot afford professional pit-emptying services.
4. Stigma and Social Exclusion: Pit emptiers, who are essential to FSM, face discrimination, low pay, and hazardous working conditions (WaterAid, 2020).

The Plight of Pit Emptiers

Pit emptiers individuals who manually or mechanically empty latrines are among the most undervalued workers in Zambia's sanitation sector. Often operating in informal settings, they are exposed to raw human waste without proper personal protective equipment (PPE), posing serious health risks (WHO, 2015). Many work without contracts or legal protection, making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Moreover, societal stigma leads to their exclusion from community activities and decision-making processes. Their voices are rarely heard in policy dialogues, even though they possess critical knowledge on sanitation practices in urban poor settings (Musonda, 2021).

Recommendations and Solutions:

Improving FSM and achieving CWIS in Zambia requires a collaborative, inclusive approach. Stakeholders including government bodies, NGOs, community based organisations, and academic institutions must work together to:

• Provide capacity building and training for pit emptiers
• Improve legal and social protections for sanitation workers
• Develop affordable, safe emptying technologies and treatment facilities
• Create platforms for participatory planning where pit emptiers and affected communities can contribute.
• Launch public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote respect for sanitation workers
• Engaging students, researchers, and local communities in collaborative learning initiatives can lead to innovative solutions. For example, academic institutions can partner with municipalities to research low-cost FSM technologies.

A Call to Action:
Sanitation is not just a health issue, it is a human rights issue. Zambia's journey toward Citywide Inclusive Sanitation must centre on equity, dignity, and sustainability. Policymakers must prioritize FSM and recognize the essential role of pit emptiers. Civil society and academic institutions must push for reforms and inclusive participation. Through collaborative learning, policy reform, and community engagement, Zambia can transform its sanitation landscape and uphold the dignity of every citizen. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for safe, inclusive sanitation.

References

1. MLGH (2016). National Urban and Peri-Urban Sanitation Strategy. Lusaka: Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
2. Musonda, K. (2021). Invisible Workers: The Role of Pit Emptiers in Urban Sanitation. Lusaka: Zambia Sanitation Coalition.
3. Strande, L., Ronteltap, M., & Brdjanovic, D. (2014). Faecal Sludge Management: Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation. London: IWA Publishing.
4. Tembo, D. & Banda, C. (2017). "Policy and Practice Gaps in Sanitation Service Delivery in Zambia." African Journal of Sanitation Studies, 4(2), pp. 56?70.
5. WaterAid (2020). Living in a Dirty Job: A Study on Sanitation Workers in Southern Africa. Lusaka: WaterAid Zambia.
6. WHO (2015). Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers: A Life-Saving Agenda. Geneva: World Health Organization.
7. WSUP (2019). Citywide Inclusive Sanitation: A Call for Action. London: Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor.