WASTE WATERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HUMAN NATURE
1. Introduction
1.1. Wastewater(s) in a rapidly urbanizing world
Globally the majority of people live in cities, and as such
the sustainability of urban service delivery is of prime importance (Childers
et al. Citation2019). Historically, the Global North has opted to centralize
wastewater infrastructure, often combining different types of wastes and
looking to treat and dilute the wastewater to minimize immediate human and
environmental health concerns. The collection and treatment of blackwater
(human excreta and toilet water) has enormous health benefits; this is why
equitable access to sanitation is a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
(i.e. SDG6, target 6.3). Sewer systems which move waste underground and away
from people and, under the best of circumstances, towards a functional
wastewater treatment plant are considered the ‘Gold Standard’ by many,
including city residents. Storm water (i.e. water flowing in cities as a result
of precipitation events), greywater (i.e. water from cooking and cleaning), as
well as other types of industrial wastewaters often use the same sewer system
even though their composition requires different levels of treatment. Continued
rapid rates of urbanization and a slow capacity for building large greywater
infrastructure, in conjunction with the effects of climate change on water
availability, flooding, and drought, further highlight why such centralized
wastewater systems are not a realistic, or perhaps even desirable, way forward
for cities (Öberg et al. Citation2020).
1.2. Sustainable system-of-systems (SSoS) framework
The sustainable system-of-systems (SSoS) framework was
developed by Thatcher and Yeow (Citation2016) as a means of identifying the
principles necessary to design sustainable ergonomics/human factors (E/HF)
interventions. The SSoS framework is not a theory or a model, but rather a set
of guiding principles, drawn from the functioning of ecological systems, and
applied to eco-socio-technical systems (Thatcher and Yeow Citation2020).
Because the SSoS framework uses natural ecosystem functioning as its basis it
is therefore an example of green ergonomics (Thatcher Citation2013). The SSoS
framework is also not an analysis tool.
1.3. Case study: greywater treatment in an urban informal
settlement
The physical context for this case study is an informal
settlement, around Mpanga, located along the bank of the Mpanga River in Fortportal
Kabarole Western Uganda on foothills of Rwenzori mountain (2023). The initial settlement
of started rapidly in the mid 2000s
during the existing urbanisation which also suffered major service delivery
issues, could no longer support the continued influx of people coming from
rural areas to seek employment in Fortportal from neighboring districts of
kasese, kamwenge,Kyenjojo, Hoima etc. Since then, Mpanga has seen continued
growth and now has an estimated population of over 5,000 people living in an
area less than 1 km2 in low-rise buildings. Many of the buildings are makeshift
constructions consisting of ‘found’ materials such as corrugated iron, recycled
bricks, plastic sheeting, and cardboard. Local government has provided limited
electricity, potable water (communal taps), temporary sewerage (with several
households sharing a single portable toilet emptied weekly), and solid waste
removal (a single, open-topped skip emptied weekly).
This study looks at the problem of greywater treatment and
removal which is often neglected as an essential service because it is
perceived to have much lower health risks than sewage (i.e. ‘blackwater’).
Greywater refers to wastewater from washing and other household chores
(Oteng-Peprah, Acheampong, and DeVries Citation2018). Due to the lack of formal
sewerage services in Mpanga greywater is
simply thrown onto the ground, where it ends up in the streets and the pathways
where people live, running through the informal settlement into the river with
no treatment of the water (either chemically or microbiologically). Water
quality testing of the greywater in Mpanga guidelines suggest that safe counts for
recreational water should be maximised. The investigations reported in this
paper form part of a transdisciplinary research project, called UERU (Urban
Environmental Research Uganda by Robert and Herbert), whose aim is to design
greywater treatment and removal solutions for urban informal settlements.
Following interviews with relevant stakeholders across Fortportal
tourism city a survey campaign on water and wastewater habits among residents
in January and February,2023, and a series of participatory workshops going on to boost the
project, no any of either small, pilot,
sub-surface, constructed wetlands water purifiers were installed for safe clean
water in a growing town. These adaptations will be the focus of a future paper.
2.2. Collecting data from the relevant interrelated and
interacting systems
Permission was obtained for each component of the study from
the University’s Guild Comitte on "Save the Environment" (Uganda Pentecostal
University ,Environmental protocol number S19/02/23).
2.2.1. Interviews
Formal individual and group interviews were conducted with
eight stakeholder types in January 2023, One group interview was conducted with
students stakeholders ; three group interviews with the metropolitan
municipality (i.e. City Department of Environmental Health Department; Environmental
and Infrastructure Services Departments); two group interviews with stakeholder
actors of interest (i.e. Fortportal City Regional Observatory); and one group interview
with the Community Leadership Forum. An individual interview was also conducted
with the Ward Councilor.
2.2.2. Surveys
A survey on water use was developed to obtain a baseline
understanding how water was collected, used, and disposed in the informal
settlement. The survey was an adapted questionnaire which was originally used
to assess water usage in low-income urban communities in Fortportal Uganda. The
survey consisted of seven sections: water acquisition sources; water collection
methods; water storage; water usage; water disposal; waste management; and
demographics of the respondent. Survey data were collected from 28 residents
using water that flows along the river. This was documented through Observations
were captured through field notes that allowed the researchers to document
changes at the study site and behavioral interactions as the project unfolded. .
Data collection involved direct observations of spatial configurations of
infrastructure, related geographical features, and services (e.g. waste
disposal), and community residents’ behavior and interactions with water
collection and water disposal. Except during the stricter Covid-19 lockdown levels
where our idea to begin research was interfered.
Visits to the research site were made on at least on a daily
or weekly basis for more than 3 months ( December 2022 to February 2023) on
different days of the week (including weekends) and at different times of day
by two of the researchers, alternating their visits. In total 74 hours of ethnographic
observations were made over this period. The ethnographic observations were
augmented with 40 informal interviews with community stakeholders. Community
stakeholders included community leaders, community residents who volunteered to
take ownership of the system, community residents who used the system,
community residents who didn’t use the system, and the builders of the
greywater treatment system.
3. Results and discussion
Almost 8/10 people around the bank of Mpanga River take grey
water hence a clear mark that shows an easy break of very many diseases. People
use it for cooking, washing, cleaning and so on. Others dispose rubbish in this
natural flowing water.
3.1 Competing goals
The other
stakeholders had similar (but not fully overlapping) goals aligned with issues
such as affordable housing, job creation/security, physical safety and
security, wastewater and sanitation management, food security, and storm water
protection and maintenance. It was only on the issue of a healthy living
environment and disease protection that there was overlap with the other
stakeholders. This suggested that the target intervention may meet some
resistance from the community (and other stakeholders). Other research in South
Fortportal city has also found that greywater management is often a low
priority, especially among community residents.
The goals of the six main types of stakeholders identified
are mapped according to the three sustainability spheres of economy, society,
and environment. This enables the identification of overlapping goals (e.g.
disease prevention and storm water protection) and unfulfilled goals (e.g. low
ecological impact and low-cost greywater infrastructure).
Previous theoretical work on the Save the Environment
framework has not provided much guidance on determining goals other than to
stress the need to find balance among the goals . Different stakeholder goals
(especially end-user’s goals) provided the design and research team with
important input into the intervention process. Even if end-user goals were not
directly relevant to greywater treatment they still play a role. .
4. Conclusion
The SSoS was developed purposely to fight against the common
error of destruction of natural environment not only in Uganda but with a
purpose of save the world. The key outlook is to advise the government to take
a concern of natural rivers that are accessed by a big population of citizens especially
those that cross big towns and cities such as River Mpanga and River Rwizi, all
in western Uganda. Together we can fight grey water out of natural color less
water.
MUGABE ROBERT
LLB 2 GROTIUS LAW SCHOOL.
ENVIRONMENT SWITCH 2023.
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