An Approach on Environmental Sanitation Situation and Toilets Septic Tank Design in Urban Nigeria: A Case Study of Calabar South

Abstract

In this study, the research protocol was designed for two key objectives. First, to evaluate the present sanitation situation in the fast growing population of Calabar South Nigeria and to design suitable ecological sanitation toilet septic tanks for 8 occupants household and primary school of over 150 students, as an initial awareness of ecological sanitation toilets system in the area. Results from the study showed that less than 40% households have access to good toilet system while about 70% institutions have access to good toilet system. The remaining populations use pit latrines, open toilet system, drainage and nearby rivers. Due to shallow surface water condition of Calabar-South, underground water, and drilled borehole water within every household are easily contaminated by pit latrines and poorly designed septic tanks in the area. To solve these problems, two suitable septic tanks were designed for household and institution to create awareness of the new toilet system. Over 90% respondent expressed their satisfaction about the new development in toilet septic tank. It was recommended that awareness and implementation of ecological sanitation toilets system be carried out for improved household and institutional sanitation in the area.