Towards appropriate safe water and sanitation systems in low incomeurban settlements
Abstract
Basic infrastructure, which includes water supply,
sanitation, drainage and solid waste disposal services is
essential for safeguarding health, protecting the environment and
promoting the efficient operation of human settlements. Where
these services are lacking or inadequate, both health and
environmental problems are likely to occur.
This study aims at examining the present water supply and
waste management systems used in the area of study, with a view to
establi~hing the factors that may have contributed to the present
situation (of inadequacy) of the same.
The Study findings"show that the existing water supply and
sanitation systems have various limitations and are therefore
inadequate considering the high population density of the study
area. Various factors are responsible for this situation. These
factors include soil characteristics, lack of support services,
socia-economic factors and institutional prejudice among others.
It is also evident that investme~t in housing does not seem to
take into account crucial services such as sanitation and water
supply systems as some of the built plots in the area of study
lack these essential facilities':
Recommendations ~ade in this study are geared towards
re~ersing the present situation (of inadequacy of essential
services) to one where every resident of the area can have easy
access It i~ therefore recommended that water
supply and sanitation systems should be adequate and appropriate
in order to achieve health goals and a sanitary environment.
However. on their own, water and waste management systems cannot
achieve health goals; they require support services such as
lighting, access roads and public health education among others.
Publisher
Department of planning