THE CONTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SANITATION IN THE WA TOWNSHIP

Abstract

This study looks at the contribution of households to sanitation management in Wa Township. The purpose of the study was to examine how sanitation is managed at the household level, find out the socio-cultural practices against sanitation management, investigate how the management of sanitation facilities affects environmental sanitation as well as the role of private/ public partnership in household sanitation in Wa town. The data collected as basis for the study were through three instruments namely, questionnaire, interviews and observation. The target group constituted the principal home maker of households with children between 0-5 years old. The study discovered from the study that lack of water, toilet facilities, distance, affordability and socio-cultura! beliefs were the main difficulties affecting human excreta management in households. The study revealed differences in sanitation behavior among resident from planned and unplanned communities in Wa town. The general sanitation management in unplanned communities is not up to expectation. The study suggest that sanitation agencies should not only find ways of regulating the user fees for communal toilets, but also address socio-cultural beliefs against sanitation management by incorporating them into their community led total sanitatio programs, There is the need for the government to come out with a social phlicy sanitation, in its attempt to extend coverage of sanitation facilities in urban poo communities. Also, in order to reduce maintenance cost and ensure sustainability of sanitation facilities, there is the need for sanitation agencies to embrace a low cost sanitation technology such as ecosan which has a low management cost and therefore capable of serving the need of the urban poor.