Sanitation Systems in Khartoum State (Evaluation and Pollution Impact)

The Importance for evaluating sanitation systems, and wastes disposal methods, coming from the fact that: the health of persons and communities are usually affected significantly from any deficiency of the systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate sanitation systems in Khartoum state, and to assess pollution impacts. Surface water samples had been collected from White Nile, Blue Nile, and river Nile, in order to identify quality of water. To evaluate the impact of septic tanks systems on groundwater, samples from soakaway wells (wells receiving septic tank effluents) had been collected and analyzed. A questionnaires was designed to obtain the relationship between sanitation systems and socio-economic and health factors. Results of surface water samples analyses showed high values of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand in two locations. Ammonia concentrations in some locations are higher than expected values. Oil and grease are recorded at high concentrations at some locations. Result of analyses of samples of soakaway wells, indicates that this system forms a threat to groundwater, because of high concentration of ammonia, which may change to nitrate and nitrite. This indicates that chemical pollution to ground water can occur. Although the first sewer network in the study area started on 1954, this system serves about 1.4% of Khartoum state population, pit latrines forms the common excreta disposal system (73.4%), followed by septic tanks system (21.4%), and the rest (3.8%) includes poor excreta disposal systems. Pit latrines are of two types. Conventional pit latrine (about 62%); and ventilated improved pit latrines (about 38%). 12% of pits were drilled to water, which may affect the quality of ground water (chemical pollution). The study indicated that the problems of insects, flies, and odor increase when the content of pit increases. Ventilation pipe decreases these problems by about 11%. Positive influence of ventilation pipe can be increased if the pipe was constructed properly. There are obvious links between water consumption and sanitation system used. The average of water consumption for pit latrine users equals 42 liter per person per - iv - day, for septic tank systems users equals 67 liter per person per day and for sewer network users reaches 121 liter per person per day. Water consumption has obvious link with education. The research emphasizes the importance of coordination between water and sanitation projects. Monitoring programs for surface and groundwater pollution loads are highly recommende