Written by Ivan Tekakwo
Gulu May 07, 2022 A new faecal sludge treatment facility constructed by NWSC in Pece Cubu has provided a much-needed shot in the arm for the management of faecal sludge and sanitation in Gulu.
With an estimated population of more than 150,000 people, Gulu is one of the fastest growing cities in Northern Uganda.
More than 90% of Gulu’s population does not have access to the sewerage network and is dependent on onsite sanitation systems like septic tanks. In the best cases, the faecal sludge from these septic tanks is emptied and safely disposed such that it does not contaminate the environment.
In the worst case scenario, the faecal sludge is illegally disposed of in wetlands thereby creating public health and environment risks.
Sanitation progress in Gulu has been a long-term progress championed by the Gulu Municipal Council and supported by a wide range of development partners.
A large proportion of the progress was achieved by the construction of a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at Pece Cubu. This was undertaken under the Integrated Programme to Improve the Living Conditions in Gulu through funding from the World Bank, KFW and the Government of Uganda with support from Fitchner.
This treatment facility is being managed by National Water and Sewerage Corporation within Gulu City to further manage and treat waste water from both sewer line connections and pit latrines. The aim is to improve the sanitation and environmental conditions of the rapid growing city.
The past few months have seen promising results as Gulu City’s management of faecal sludge has been transformed into a value chain that involves safe collection, transport, and re-use of human waste.
Currently, the plant has 6 beds with treatment capacity of up to 25,000 litres of faecal sludge per day with an incubation period of approximately 4 to 6 months before the decomposed sludge is ready for consumption in the form of compost manure.
In Gulu, not only are farmers scrambling for animal compost but many are even trying to get their hands on treated sewage sludge.
NWSC Gulu has been able to provide compost directly to local farmers between Ush 40,000 and Ushs 50,000 for a truckload and a pack of 100kgs going for Ushs 5,000. The manure is used in forestry, floriculture and compound beautification.
The Faecal Sludge Treatment plant is part of the phase I of the Ushs 82.3 billion Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation system which includes upgrades at the Wastewater treatment plant, construction of a 7 km sewer pipeline and construction of new toilet blocks for schools, health centres and public places within the City among others.
