Public Latrines System and Its Associated Problems

Public Latrines System and Its Associated Problems

CHAPTER

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study is to examine the problems associated with public latrine system in Awka capital territory with a view to developing a strategy for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in Awka territory.

In order to achieve the stated goal, the following objectives are pursued:

To identify the problems associated with public latrine.
To identify how public latrine pollutes the air and water source.
To proffer solutions to proper cleaning and maintenance of public latrine.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

THE NATURE OF PUBLIC LATRINE

The term “pit latrine” describes virtually any system that accumulates faecal matter, urine and possibly other materials over a period of more than a few days.

Open defecation is the practice whereby people both young and old openly and indiscriminately discharge human excreta and urine not minding the environmental health hazard and offensive odour it emits into the environment. The design of these systems varies considerably from place to place due to user habits, cultural preferences, available building materials and terrain. A comprehensive literature review of issues relating to design, operation, maintenance health, social and management aspects of latrine is presented in cotton, A., franceys, R. Rickford, J., and Saywell, D. (1995).

In general, latrines are allowed to fill to within a certain proximity to the top of the pit (eg. 300mm) and then either emptied by pumping out the contents (or in the case of solid waste, digging out or buried over. In the latter case, a new latrine is dug nearby, and the super, structure moved or rebuilt. A period of stabilization may be allowed before latrine contents are removed, although this is not often the case since alternative sanitation facilities are not usually available where pit latrines are to be dug/pumped out and reused as recorded by franceys, R., Pickford, J., and Reed, R. (1992).

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Environmental pollution started centuries ago, way back in the ancient times. Many events which occurred then have continued in these modern times to make it a basic problem in cities.

Environmental problems arise in most of our big cities due to failure from rural areas to urban centres in the country, so that their standard of living would be improved. These results to over population, which leads to urban problems as overcrowding, housing problems, diseases, unemployment and other environmental problems.

CHAPTER THREE

DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

BRIEF HISTORY OF AWKA

Awka was famous for metal working and its blacksmiths before the 20^th century and were prized throughout the region for making farming implements guns and tools. Before the inception of British rule, Awka was governed by titled men known as Ozo and Ndichie who were accomplished individuals in the community. They held general meetings or Izu Awka either at the residence of the oldest man (Otochal Awka) or at a place designated by him. He was the Nne Uzu or master known blacksmith, whether he know the trade or not, for the only master known to Awka people was the master craftsman, the Nne Uzu.

In modern times, Awka has adapted to the republican system and is currently divided into two local government areas, Awka North and Awka South with local representatives. Awka should not be confused with Awka Etiti which is a own in Idenili south local government area chat is often mistaken for the main capital. Today Awka is the capital of Anambra state of Nigeria which posses the slogan as the “light of the Nation”.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In order to effectively collect, locate and analyze data required for the study, some procedure were followed to locate the problems associated with public latrine in Awka capital and to achieve a means of providing solutions to the problems. These procedures are the foundation of the methodological approach for the research.

CHAPTER FIVE

DATA ANALYSIS AND SURVEY

ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF RESPONSES

In the preceding chapter we focused on the issue of data collection. In this chapter, we are going to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire. A total number of 200 questionnaire were distributed to the respondents where the research was conducted, only 150 copies were returned. Thirty copies were wrongly filled and 20 copies were not returned. The questions analyzed formed the basis upon which the findings would be made.

CHAPTER SIX

FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION/CONCLUSION

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

From the questionnaire and observational study conducted, we were able to determine the problems associated with public latrine, get a design and hygiene methods used to maintain public latrines in a high density city like Awka. The survey comprised selected households, knowing the different type of toilets people make use of and how they take care of them. Major percentage of people make use of poor flushed latrine, a less percentage use odourless earth closet while the least percentage use water closet in their homes.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations should be put into consideration to ensure a safe, healthy, clean, and nice looking environment that is conducive for everyone to live in.

Public latrines should be provided in markets and bus terminals.
It should be kept very clean to avoid the spread of diseases in our homes and in public places.
The latrines should be well designed in such a way that it will be used to collect urine and faeces to farm as manure after sanitization.

REFERENCES

Adekunle, U.A. (1990) “Current State of Water Supply and Sewage Disposal in Urban and Rural Centers in Nigeria in Revitalizing the Urban and Rural Studies, Obafeni Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Amulree, Lord (1973) Hygiene Conditions in Ancient Rome and Modern London, Medical History. Great Britain.
Barth, H. (1994) Urine, Faeces, Greywater and Biogradable Solid Waste as Potential Fertilizers 2^nd International Symposium on Ecological Sanitation, Lubeck, Germany.
Bester, J.W. and Austin, L.M. (2000) Design, Contraction Operation and Maintenance of Ventilated Improved Pit Toilet in South Africa. WRC Report No 709/1/00. ISBN, Water Resources Commission.
Biswas, K. (1995) “Urban Development Program in Integrates Environmental Concern in Urban Age” Vol. 3 No 2.
Botkin, D.B, Keller, E.A. (1998) “Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet”. John Wisley and Sons Inc. New York, USA.
Buckley, C.A, Foxon, K.M, Rodda, N, Brouchaert C.Y, Man Tovanelli, S. and Mnguni, M. (2008) “Research into Urine Diversion, Ventilated Improved Double Pit Toilets (UD/VIDP) in ethekwini. Part A: Physical and Health Related Characteristics of UD/VIDP Valet Contents” Water Resources Commission, Petoria.
Chaggu, E.J. (2004) “Sustainable Environmental Protection using Modified Pit Latrines; PhD Wageningen University, the Netherknds.
Cotton, A., Franceys, R., Pickford, J. and Saywell, D. (1995) “On-Pit Sanitation in Low-Income Urban Communities. A Review of Literature, Paul University, Marseille.

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