AMBIRA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL (by Moses Wakala)

The Ambira Boys High School Project will be described in the following section (visited on 17th June and reported by Moses Wakala):


Implemented by: Ambira school, Comila construction company, EPP
Ecosan components: 5 stand flush toilet, 50 cbm biogas settler (BG), Anaerobic Baffled Reactor with 6 chamber (5x1 m) (ABR), Effluent piping to banana plantation, Biogas reuse for cooking in kitchen to start.
Construction time: March 2009 – Feb. 2010; Operation started: March 2010

Current state:
The toilet block has been a big relief to the school which was initially lacking space for pit construction. The school sanitation has now improved with the flushing toilet. A pressure test is needed to establish the air-tightness of the pipes and the plant. The stoves are also to be installed in the next visit. All the toilets are in good use and the effluent piping is not done. The school has agreed to prepare a farm next to the plant for bananas as treated effluent reuse.

Management of facilities:
The toilet is managed by the school environmental club together with the Principal and sanitation teacher. The school has employed a technician whom I trained on O and M to help the school on any technical problem when am away. (Mr. Oyugi)

Challenges of project:
The main challenge that the project is facing in this school is the gas reuse concept. The kitchen which is far away about 400 Meters seem to require more pressure for burning. There may be losses which are affecting the required pressure in the kichen. A pressure test is needed to confirm this. The burners are not installed in the kichen. This could be done immediately by the consultant but the transport issue and the required fitting items for work has to be sorted by GTZ.


The following pictures show the project components:



Rehabilitated toilets at Ambira School





Gas piping to be done in the kitchen

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NAIVASHA PUBLIC TOILET (by Moses Wakala)

The following paragraph describes the Naivasha Public Toilet Project, implemented in Kenya in 2007/2008 (visited on 30.6. - 2.7.2010 and reported by Moses Wakala):

Implemented by: WSTF, NAIVAWASCO, EPP
Ecosan components: Public toilets with water kiosk, 50 cbm biogas settler (BG), Effluent connected to main public sewer, Biogas used in a nearby food cafe
Construction time: August 2007 – May 2008; Operation started: June 2008

Current state:
The toilet is in good use with trained operetors employed by the water company running the facility in experimental stage. The toilet needed some painting in general to give it a good look and appeal to the customers with some repair on masonry and plumping works. The water company which is making good sales from the toilet is ready to do these repairs as maintenance.

Challenges:
1. There is need for lighting in the facility so as to be friendly to night travelers in bus park
2. The amount of money to be paid by the Biogas user is not decided and this needs to be addressed for him to start submitting something. A gas flow meter is to be installed for efficient gas measurement.
3. There is a serious water shortage in the water kiosk that has made selling the
commodity unpredictable.

Follwing pictures show the construction of Naivasha Public Toilet:

Front view

Chairman of operations receives Sanitary Bins for
Ladies Toilets and rubbish Bins

New face of Naivasha Ecosan Toilet after repairs and painting

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UGUNJA TOWN PUBLIC TOILET WITH DTS (by Moses Wakala)

The following paragraph describes the Ugunja Town Public Toilet Project, currently implemented in Kenya (visited on 17th June and reported by Moses Wakala):

Implemented by: Ugunja town council, LVSWSB, SIBO, EPP
Ecosan components: Public toilets with water kiosk, 50 cbm biogas settler (BG), Anaerobic Baffled Reactor with 6 chamber (3x1 m) (ABR), Collection tank (2x1.5m), Effluent piping to a swamp 200 meters away, Biogas reuse not started.

Construction time: March 2009 – May 2010
Operation started: 1st June 2010

Current state:
Ugunja town gets a new toilet! The Market that has been threatened with closure due to lack of sanitation facility can now relax after Ecosan Promotion Project officially opened the doors of the long awaited Public Toilet at the centre of the town. The toilet construction that begun last year in November was concluded and this has left Ugunja Market transformed with a beautiful toilet. The construction entailed an onsite treatment of waste water by use of a digester which treats the waste producing Biogas for cooking or heating. The waste is then further treated in an anaerobic Baffled reactor to reduce the pollution (BOD) before being taken to farm for irrigation. The toilet that has showers for Ladies and Gents has been liked by the business community with a total of over 100 users realized for the first two days of opening. This is likely to improve after having done some visibility with writings to make people know that the facility exist. The water kiosk infront of the toilet is picking up and the rate of Ksh. 5.00 has been chosen by the council as the price of 20 Litre Jeri-can. Water is sourced from the main supplies at the Borehole.

Management of facilities:
The council has identified some community based organization that operates within the area for running of the business. This is on lease basis and the rate of lease is being established by the council. At the moment, the council has put its staff to run the toilet for one month to determine the returns from the toilet before renting it out to the CBO. The toilet operators will be trained by the consultant Moses Wakala together with the water company (SIBO) on operations and management.

Challenges of project:
The main challenges are the solid waste management around the toilet and Market. The new toilet site has been a dumping site for the market and despite efforts to stop this habit, the practice continued until recently when all the waste was moved away. The town management should plan well for an alternative site for dumping.

Pending Works:
1. Sealing of the Main Digester neck with Clay an all the other Man-holes has not been done due to delay in completion of construction work. This needs to be addressed
urgently due to fowl smell coming out from these manholes.
2. Biogas piping to a nearby food kiosk to facilitate Biogas utilization. Some café exist at the site and is ready to use the gas. These to be addressed by GTZ
3. Training of the operators on Operation and Maintenance.
4. Pressure test on piping and digester to ascertain the air-tightness of the system.


The following pictures show Ugunja Toilet.

Gents Section entrance

Front view of Ugunja Toilet

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