SPATIO-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF FAECAL WASTE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES OF AKURE NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the status of the faecal management system in terms of availability, accessibility, affordability, adequacy and sustainability with a view to suggesting adequate management of faecal waste in Akure metropolis. The research instruments used for field data collection were a set of questionnaire designed for the urban residents and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The questionnaire was segmented into sections of questions probing into the socioeconomic characteristics; sanitation practices; wastewater management methods; solid waste management methods; hygiene and hand washing practices of urban residence of Akure. The handheld Global Positioning System equipment was used to capture the locations of hand du wells relative to sources of contamination such as: dumpsites, septic tanks and pit latrines in the study area. The secondary data were sourced from United Nations Children, Education Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), and relevant government Ministries and agencies. The city was classified into three residential zones namely: the urban core, the peripheral and government residential estates. Enumeration area (EA) maps used for the 2006 National Census by the National Population Commission were used. This is to ensure the geographic coverage of sites for the study. A total of 24 EAs were randomly selected for the study. These EAs were sampled in the ratio of 12 EAs at the core; 9 EAs at the transition zone and 3 EAs at the government residential estate zone. In the selected EAs, 1099 buildings which represent one percent of the total projected number of buildings for Akure were randomly selected for interview. In each of the selected residential buildings; a questionnaire was administered on a household-head. In all, a total of 1,099 copies questionnaire were administered while 783 were retrieved in a usable form. This constitutes 71.25 percent response rate. The data collected were processed through the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 1 The first hypothesis investigated the variation between income of residents of Akure and the types of toilet facilities available. The chi-square test of significance was used to test this hypothesis The result reveals that there is no significant variation between ncome and the type of toilet facilities available. The second hypothesis seeks to test for the variation in the type of toilet facilities across the residential zones in Akure. The scale of measurement of variables involved are in ordinal form, hence the chi-square was used in carrying out the test. The result (χ^2=310.94,P<0.01)shows that there is a significant variation in the types of toilet across the residential zones. The third hypothesis probed into the closeness of water sources to points of contamination. The proximity analysis using the Arcview GIS was used. The outcome of the result shows that across the residential zones, water sources are close (at 10m, 20m, and 30m) to points of contamination. Hypothesis four was to test whether there is a significant variation in faeco-oral and water related diseases across the residential zones. The chi-square was used, and the result was (X2 (8) = 61.466, P < 0.01). This shows that there is a significant variation in faeco-oral diseases across the residential zones, therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted. In conclusion, the study was able to show that the management of liquid wastes is inadequate. In addition, it was realised that problem of inadequate management of excreta is most prevalent in the core area of the study area. Also, the residue (faecal sludge) is improperly managed, usually by burying them. In most cases, these wastes are neither re-used nor recycled though in literature such wastes have the prospect for such. Areas where wastes can be of use as indicated in the literature include biogas, aquaculture, agriculture among others. The suggested recommendations in line with the findings of the research are as follows. That there should be a national policy on sanitation, communicated in different languages. This will help people to understand the thrust and the seriousness of the Federal government. Secondly, the ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) toilet that can accommodate more than two chambers should be introduced and tested. It has the ability for long time usage and the sludge can be harmless, devoid of pathogens at the time of removal. Hence, the sludge can be used as soil conditioner. In addition, just as is being practised in India and other nations, the urine diverting toilet should be installed in homes to complement the ecosan toilet. This will make urine, which has a higher proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) readily available. These as demonstrated in some countries can adequately replace the use of chemical fertilizers. In addition, residents of Akure should be guided when planning the installation of their pit latrines and in locating their septic fields. This is to take cognizance of other septic tanks and avoid its closeness to water points on their plate or those of their neighbours. In the literature, it is expected that the ratio of a toilet to people served should be in the range of 1:20; this should be considered while approving building plans for construction in Akure. Furthermore, the government should introduce subsidies in form of sanitary materials for the construction of cheap toilet that can be fabricated locally. Coupled with this is the training of local technicians who can construct such as toilets and carry out minor repairs. It is also expected that the local government should be encouraged to involve the private sector with the purchase of vacuum truck to collect and dispose excrement sludges, instead of burying them on within their residential housing environment. Finally, installation of sanitary facilities should be complemented by education on hygiene, hand washing and clean environment.