Presentation at the 3rd Faecal Sludge Management conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.

1. Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Quantification of faecal sludge by truck counting studies
with the Private Emptiers’ Association in Kampala
3rd Faecal Sludge Management Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam – 19.01.2015
L. Schoebitz*, C. Niwagaba**, J. Matovu***, L. Strande*
* Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Sandec: Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing
Countries , P. O. Box 611, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
** Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; School of Engineering; College of Engineering, Design, Art & Technology
(CEDAT); Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
*** Private Emptiers’ Association, Kampala, Uganda

2. 04.04.2011 2
Three main points
1. What attempts/methods exist to quantify faecal
sludge on a city-wide scale?
1. What is the benefit of a truck counting study?
1. What to do before, and how to implement a truck
counting study?

3. 2 Why truck counting?
1 How to quantify faecal sludge?
3 Kampala

4. (3) FS collection,
which estimates the
current collection of
FS.
(2) FS volumes,
which estimates the
current demand for FS
emptying, transport
and treatment.
(1) FS production,
which estimates the
future demand for FS
emptying, transport
and treatment.
requires less resource
intensive collection of
primary data,
requires very resource
intensive collection of
primary data,
can be based on
existing secondary
data,
Attempts at FS quantification include:
• calculated by: per
capita production of
excreta,
• sludge accumulation
rates in OSS
technologies (septic
tank vs. pit latrine),
• including population
growth projections,
• desludging intervals,
• use of system,
• existing legal
discharge location,
• cooperation with
service providers,
• performing a truck
counting study,
• construction of system
• age of system,
• # of users per system,
• physical properties,

5. 2 Why truck counting?
1 How to quantify faecal sludge?
3 Kampala

6. A truck counting study can be performed to…
(2) gain knowledge about how
much faecal sludge is
currently collected,
(3) gain an understanding
about faecal sludge origins,
(4) gain an understanding
about what type of systems
get emptied,
(6) plan and design
appropriate treatment
facilities.
(4) …estimate markets for
treatment endproducts
(5) provide knowledge for the
operation of existing treatment
facilities
in addition to…(1) …cross-check existing
data,

7. 2 Why truck counting?
1 How to quantify faecal sludge?
3 Kampala

8. 04.04.2011 8
First:
Literature research and cross-checking
with existing records at local discharge
location.

9. How much FS is produced/collected?
9
Sanitation Master Plan
Reference: Fichtner Water & Transportation and M&E Associates (2008),
Kampala Sanitation Program, Feasibility Study, Volume 1, Main Report
369 m3/d

10. How much is collected?
04.04.2011 10
Fact-checking!
• Official records
250 m3/d

11. How much is collected?
04.04.2011 11
Fact-checking!
• Interviews
444 m3/d

12. Then:
Implementation of truck counting study for
two weeks with local Private Emptiers’
Association.

13. 577 m3/d

16. Lessons learned
1. A truck counting study is an effective tool to estimate
how much faecal sludge is currently being collected.
1. A truck counting study can only be performed if strong
collaborations with local emptying and transport service
providers can be built up.
1. In Kampala, only 50% of the collected faecal sludge
comes from households.
1. Unlined pits in Kampala are not getting emptied by
mechanical emptying and transport service providers.
1. Further research is needed to identify unserved areas in
Kampala and the demand for emptying of unlined pit
latrines.

17. www.sandec.ch/faq facebook.com/sandec @Larnsce
Funding
Kampala
Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation
National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
Dr. Charles Niwagaba, Dr. James Semuwemba, Mr. Enos Malambala, Mr. James
Maiteki, Ms. Daphine Achiro, Ms. Ritha Tayebwa,
Acknowledgements

18. Questions?
www.sandec.ch/faq @Larnsce