Uncovering the Challenges of Faecal Sludge Management in Benin’s Urban Hubs: The Cases of Abomey-Calavi and Natitingou

The issue of faecal sludge management in developing countries remains a significant challenge due to the indiscriminate discharge of sludge into the environment. This practice generates more environmental problems than it solves. This study aims to assess the management of household faecal sludge in the communes of Abomey-Calavi and Natitingou, Benin, in order to optimise the best storage conditions for subsequent more effective treatment. To this end, a sociological survey was conducted among households in Abomey-Calavi and Natitingou, as well as among manual emptiers. The results of our studies revealed that two types of latrines are used in households. 20.55% of households use traditional latrines, while 59.83% use ordinary latrines. 7.97% of households use both types of latrine. Moreover, the depth of the latrines varies from 2.5 m to 7 m in Abomey-Calavi and from 2.5 m to 8 m in Natitingou. Among households with a latrine, 28.26% empty their pit at least once, while 71.74% have never emptied it. The emptying cost varies between 35,000 FCFA and 90,000 FCFA. The mixing of faecal sludge with solid waste, including plastic materials, makes emptying difficult due to the obstruction of the vacuum pump. The results obtained will serve as a reliable database to facilitate decision-making in the context of faecal sludge management.

Characterization of Household Solid Waste in the Town of Abomey - Calavi in Benin

Identification of waste characteristics is an important step towards improving waste recovery. The aim of this research was to determine the physical and physico-chemical characteristics of waste of Abomey–Calavi city and to study the relationship between standard of living and average ratio of daily waste generated by each person. In this study the methodology used French standards to characterize particle size and typology of solid waste generated by the population of Calavi City in Benin, West Africa. According to home criteria, the study area was stratified into three distinct levels of standard of living called: high standing, medium standing and low standing;Waste from 60 households was weighed daily. The total waste produced by each household was collected seven (7) days a week, for a period of three weeks. Waste characterization was performed using ratio, size granulometry and typological composition. Physico- Chemical analysis including organic mater, pH, Total Organic Carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and metal trace element were also performed. To better assess waste compostability, water extractable organic matter was quantified and qualitative identification was made with XAD8 and XAD4 resins. Results show that the amount of waste increases with the standard of living;the average ratio of daily waste generated is 0.89 kg day-1 person-1. Independently of the standard of living, fermentable compounds represent the largest proportion of waste materials (45%). Qualitative difference of waste content in organic matter is shown as a function of the population’s living standards. These results could be explained by a higher consumption of meat in the households with a higher standard of living, reflecting a greater proportion of transphilic (TPI), and hydrophilic (HPI) fractions. The C/N ratio is lower in the high standing households than in low ones. Metal trace element analysis showed a low but still significant pollution, whereas high iron and alu minum concentrations were found in all standings. In conclusion we propose a strategy for waste management in Abomey-Calavi based on sorting at the source to eliminate plastic waste and valorization of wastes via composting.