Sewage, Septage and Faecal Sludge Management in Tamale Municipality of Ghana

Abstract

The sewage, septage and faecal sludge management profile in Tamale Municipality have been studied in relation to the different handling facilities used and the technologies adopted for their treatment and disposal. The human excreta facilities available include pan latrines, public latrines, and water closet systems. The sewage treatment facilities found were the Trickling Filter and Waste Stabilization Ponds, which were found to be in deplorable states. The suspended solids of the final effluent were 140 mg/l compared to the Environmental Protection Agency guideline value of 50 mg/l. The faecal coliform in the effluent from the Trickling Filter Plant was found to be as high as 6,600,000-counts/100 ml compared to the recommended guideline value of 5000 counts per 100 ml for hot climates. The sewage treatment facilities must therefore be rehabilitated to meet acceptable standards of environ-ment and health requirement. Journal of Applied Science and Technology (JAST) , Vol. 4, Nos. 1 & 2, 1999, pp. 67 – 71