by Zaitun Kanenje, Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company, Kenya

Sanitation technologies in pit emptying, Nakuru, Kenya

On-site sanitation systems (OSSs), such as septic tanks and pit latrines, are a critical component of ensuring access to toilets in both rural and urban areas, and this is not limited to underdeveloped countries. OSSs currently serves more than 2.7 billion people worldwide, with that figure expected to rise to 4.9 billion by 2030. Despite improvements toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to increase access to improved sanitation, investments in subsequent steps, such as the safe collection, disposal and treatment of faecal sludge (FS) from OSSs, remain a significant challenge.