Strategies for emptying household septic tanks in Kota Padang (Indonesia)

The household faecal sludge management in Kota Padang has not yet met the proper management system. The presence of private sewage trucks (transport truck) that directly discharge sludge into drains or water bodies without treatment, along with the low percentage of households that have ever emptied their septic tanks, poses the potentials of environmental pollution risk. This study aimed to evaluate and analyze household septic tank management practices based on assessments of septic tank conditions, the emptying process, user knowledge, and propose safe emptying recommendations. The SWOT analysis was used to propose recommendations for implementing safe emptying in Kota Padang. The SWOT analysis was compiled through discussions and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The existing septic tank management conditions and emptying quality were obtained through interviews using questionnaires with 100 respondents in 11 districts of Kota Padang. The results showed that only 35% of respondents have ever emptied their septic tanks, and 65% of respondents have not emptied their septic tanks ever. The quality of septic tank emptying in Kota Padang is 26.33, which falls into the category of unsafe emptying. Therefore, the appropriate strategy in applying safe emptying implementation is the W-O strategy. This strategy is applied by enhancing stakeholders cooperation, improving human resource quality, changing public behaviour, and evaluating ongoing programs.