Locally Driven Options for Managing Sanitation Issues in Kalingalinga Township of Lusaka

In recent years, the challenge of sanitation has manifested itself in the perennial outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as pollution of water resources, contamination of air, soil and land proliferation of pests and vermin and the loss of aesthetic beauty particularly in low income residential areas. These areas are densely populated implying that externalities resulting from unsanitary conditions will impact more people compared to high residential areas. Further, as long as sanitation management solutions introduced to the locals do not seem to be locally driven, promoters are likely to face dis-adoptions. This study aimed at investigating locally driven options for managing sanitation issues in Kalingalinga Township. It utilized 126 respondents who were systematically randomly sampled. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation techniques and the least square difference (LSD) methods. The study identified sanitation issues related to waste disposal, unsanitary toilets, intermittent water supply and flooding due to blocked drainages during the rainy season as key sanitation issues affecting residents of Kalingalinga Township. The ratings of the sanitary conditions in the area were largely influenced by one’s level of education and exposure with respondents who had undergone higher levels of formal education being more stringent in their ratings. While level of income was a determinant of access to water supply in the Township, the residents’ poor attitude towards solid waste disposal was a major challenge contributing to unsanitary conditions in the area. The study identified the need to separate generated waste into usable categories that could be recycled, reused and sold as raw materials to particular manufacturing industries. The success of locally driven options would hinge on residents being educated on the sustainable waste management techniques which would also contribute to household income generation through selling off usable wastes. Further, a change in the attitude of residents towards waste management, use of designated solid waste collectors who take waste to designated dump sites, use of disinfectants in toilets and avoidance of stagnating waste water would also help to manage sanitation in the area. Poor sanitation and hygiene have contributed to malnutrition cases in Zambia which may be caused by diarrheal diseases. If sanitation is well managed in this Township, then diarrheal cases, caused by poor sanitation, can be minimized. While the Lusaka City Council was often mentioned as a major solution towards waste management in the area, the study recommended participatory education of the locals in sustainable waste management, conversion of household waste into household income and a change in residents’ attitude as the starting points in ensuring successful sanitation management.