Framework for WASH Sector Data Improvements in Data-Poor Environments, Applied to Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service provision are hampered by limited open data availability. This paper presents a data integration framework, collects the data and develops a material flow model, which aids data-based policy and infrastructure development for the WASH sector. This model provides a robust quantitative mapping of the complete anthropogenic WASH flow-cycle: from raw water intake to water use, wastewater and excreta generation, discharge and treatment. This approach integrates various available sources using a process-chain bottom-up engineering approach to improve the quality of WASH planning. The data integration framework and the modelling methodology are applied to the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana. The highest level of understanding of the GAMA WASH sector is achieved, promoting scenario testing for future WASH developments. The results show 96% of the population had access to improved safe water in 2010 if sachet and bottled water was included, but only 67% if excluded. Additionally, 66% of 338,000 m3 per day of generated wastewater is unsafely disposed locally, with 23% entering open drains, and 11% sewage pipes, indicating poor sanitation coverage. Total treated wastewater is <0.5% in 2014, with only 18% of 43,000 m3 per day treatment capacity operational. The combined data sets are made available to support research and sustainable development activities.

Generation and Management of Faecal Sludge Quantities and Potential for Resource Recovery in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

“…Key assumptions made were 1) that water inflow is similar for septic tanks and latrines, 2) that type of container does not influence faecal sludge characteristics (based on Eliyan et al ( 2022)); and 3) that water and excreta are the only substances entering the container, since water is used for anal cleansing and households predominantly have a piped water connection, while the small proportion of the population that use toilet tissue for wiping usually dispose of it in trash bins with other types of solid waste. According to Koppelaar et al (2018), an average of 58.6 L/cap/day of water enter the sewage container (C w ) in developing countries. The input values used for calculating Q 3 , i.e., emptied volume, number of users and emptying frequency, were the average value for each category based on the household questionnaire and triangulated with data from the container emptying contractors.…”

Sustainable sanitation- how can we improve sanitation systems in the global south?

“…Key assumptions made were 1) that water inflow is similar for septic tanks and latrines, 2) that type of container does not influence faecal sludge characteristics (based on Eliyan et al (2022)); and 3) that water and excreta are the only substances entering the container, since water is used for anal cleansing and households predominantly have a piped water connection, while the small proportion of the population that use toilet tissue for wiping usually dispose of it in trash bins with other types of solid waste. According to Koppelaar et al (2018) The input values used for calculating Q 3 , i.e., emptied volume, number of users and emptying frequency, were the average value for each category based on the household questionnaire and triangulated with data from the container emptying contractors.…”

Plastic microfibers found in high numbers around Kantamanto, the world’s largest secondhand textile market in Accra, Ghana

“…Considering the poor quality of the water lagoon due to raw sewage input ((Nixon et al 2007)(Koppelaar et al 2018)(Owusu et al 2023)), surface water collection was performed using an extended pole equipped with a dedicated bucket (made of a clean bright blue plastic easy to identify under microscope imaging for possible source of contamination, and for which control with clean water was also taken; if found in our samples, such bright blue particles were not accounted for). The water collection was performed 2 times (N=4) independently at the same site, and each time two 50mL Falcon tube were filled with water from the bucket, sealed and maintained in a closed cooler for transportation.…”