Membrane Septic Tank Kit for Rapid Response in Emergencies
THE CHALLENGE
In emergencies and crises, sanitation infrastructure in camps is often constructed without consideration of long-term needs such as safe containment and disposal of fecal matter. Commonly used pit latrine systems in densely populated camps often expose fresh fecal sludge to the ground, polluting the surrounding environment. Such systems are costly to de-sludge and require extensive resources, time, and skilled expertise, which is not readily available in the context of rapid-onset emergencies. Yet because pit latrines are used by hundreds of users, the lack of de-sludging often causes pollution and health hazards.
THE SOLUTION
To develop an improved sanitation model for use during rapid onset emergencies, the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA) developed a prefabricated, foldable membrane septic tank kit that could be quickly deployed while requiring less extensive long-term maintenance and de-sludging relative to pit latrines. The kit was designed to be set up in 1 day, serve 400 people, and biologically stabilize and store the sludge for up to 6 months. During their CHIC funding period, BORDA connected 148 Syrian refugees living in the Basirma Refugee Camp in Iraq to the prefabricated, foldable membrane septic tank kit. By replacing traditional cess pits with dual-chambered septic tanks, BORDA established preliminary evidence of the potential to improve wastewater treatment and fecal sludge containment services in camp settings. A post-implementation survey conducted indicated that 80% of the residents connected to the system were satisfied with it, in comparison to cess pits, which required frequent emptying and caused excessive odour and nuisance to camp residents. The satisfactory technical performance of the septic tank was further validated through visual observation, with plans underway to conduct more detailed water quality testing. A partnership was also established with Oxfam to test various prototypes of the kit in future rapid-onset emergencies to further validate and optimize its performance.
