Simplified sewage systems (Tanzania)

This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of simplified sewerage systems (SSS) in achieving safely managed sanitation services in Vingunguti unplanned settlements on its impacts and barriers overseen; performance evaluation so that it can be upscaled in other parts of the country. The study’s results indicate that simplified sewer systems had an overall performance of 60%, suggesting a slightly above-average system performance. Among the impacts of the Vingunguti SSS to the beneficiaries include; contributing to biogas recovery for 17 connected households with SSS and biodigester and creating community awareness of the need for improving sanitation. The SSS further; reduced regular outbreaks of water-related diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and intestinal worms affecting the household members before initiating simplified sewers. However, the SSS system had some challenges of; regular blockages of toilets, chambers, and sewers, which were caused by improper behavior of residents (women) because they still throw menstrual pads in the toilets. Also, the bursting of pipes due to small diameter pipelines and soil erosion sometimes expose the pipes to solar heating and hence causing bursting. The study concludes that SSS users require proper training in operations and maintenance to prevent regular blockages of inspection chambers. The study recommended that, Dar es Salaam Water Supply Authority (DAWASA) which manages the SSS project to reduce the monthly cost of sewerage services by using simplified sewerage systems at Mji Mpya, Vingunguti. Also, local leaders need to provide more training to toilet users to enable them to understand the proper usage of toilets by creating and emphasizing monthly meetings, were people meet and are given awareness.