A sustainable business model for FSM (Uganda)

The majority of the population in low- and middle-income countries relies on onsite sanitation systems as sanitation solutions. Poor management of these systems has caused unsustainable faecal sludge management (FSM), characterised by inappropriate faecal sludge disposal, unaffordable services and non-financially viable businesses which limit the private sector’s participation. This study focused on the development of a sustainable business model as an option for enhanced FSM service delivery in Bushenyi district of Uganda. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations were used as tools for primary data collection. The study showed that the existing business model for FSM in Bushenyi is private emptying and transportation (manual and mechanical) with treatment services being provided by the public utility company. The identified gaps in the existing situation included poor disposal practices, unrecognised manual emptying, unavailability of faecal sludge treatment plants, unaffordable safe services and non-financially viable businesses along the sanitation service chain. To address this, a transfer station with formalised manual emptying was proposed as a suitable model for improved FSM service delivery. The model was financially viable and profitable for all businesses, demonstrating positive returns on investment. It also provided desired results for sustainability against five sustainability criteria: skills and capacity, financial viability, legal framework, environmental sustainability and social acceptance. The model can be applied in areas similar to Bushenyi with a common practice of manual emptying and unavailability of a treatment facility.