Onsite sanitation and groundwater quality in urban settlements (Uganda)

On-site sanitation (OSS) has emerged as a preferred mode of sanitation in urban centres experiencing rapid urbanization due to the high cost involved in off-site sanitation requiring expensive infrastructure of conventional sewerages. However, this practice has put severe stress on the quality of groundwater which is the main source of water for domestic use in most informal urban settlements where municipal water supply is unreliable. This study aimed to establish the impact of OSS facilities on groundwater source quality and was carried out in Wakiso and Kakiri Town councils in Uganda. Groundwater sources were identified and mapped, and samples were collected for analysis. Findings from the analysed water samples revealed that most of the ground water sources that were in the proximity of 5-27m from the OSS facility had traces of E. coli and total coliforms, an indication of contamination with faecal matter. The study recommended a lateral distance of water sources of at least 30m to 50m away from the OSS facility for Kakiri and Wakiso Town councils. Where the recommended distance cannot be achieved, the use of container-based sanitation technologies was suggested for such areas.