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Greywater Disposal Practices in Northern Botswana—The Silent Spring?

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  • Kathleen A. Alexander

    (Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
    Center for African Resources: Animals, Communities and Land Use, Kasane, Botswana, South Africa)

  • Adil Godrej

    (Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, Virginia Tech, Manassas, WV 20110, USA)

Abstract

Disposal of greywater is a neglected challenge facing rapidly growing human populations. Here, we define greywater as wastewater that originates from household activities (e.g., washing dishes, bathing, and laundry) but excludes inputs from the toilet. Pollutants in greywater can include both chemical and biological contaminates that can significantly impact human, animal, and environmental health under certain conditions. We evaluate greywater disposal practices in nonsewered, low-income residential areas in Kasane (264 dwellings/ha), Kazungula (100 du/ha), and Lesoma (99 du/ha) villages in Northern Botswana through household surveys ( n = 30 per village). Traditional pit latrines were the dominant form of sanitation (69%, n = 90, 95% CI, 59%–79%) while 14% of households did not have access to onsite sanitation (95% CI 0%–22%). While greywater disposal practices varied across villages, respondents in all sites reported dumping greywater into the pit latrine. Frequency varied significantly across villages with the highest level reported in Kasane, where residential density was greatest ( p < 0.014, χ 2 = 9.13, 61% ( n = 23, 95% CI 41%–81%), Kazungula 41% ( n = 22, 95% CI 20%–62%), Lesoma 13% (95% CI 0%–29%). Disposal of greywater in this manner was reported to limit contamination of the household compound and reduce odors, as well as pit latrine fecal levels. Some respondents reported being directed by local health authorities to dispose of greywater in this manner. Environmentally hazardous chemicals were also dumped directly into the pit latrine to reduce odors. With high household to pit latrine ratios particularly in rental properties (4.2 households, SD = 3.32, range = 15 units, average household size 5.3, SD = 4.4), these greywater and pit latrine management approaches can significantly alter hydraulic loading and leaching of chemicals, microorganisms, and parasites. This can dramatically expand the environmental footprint of pit latrines and greywater, increasing pollution of soil, ground, and surface water resources. Challenges in greywater disposal and pit latrines must be addressed with urgency as health behaviors directed at minimizing negative aspects may amplify the environmental impacts of both greywater and pit latrine excreta.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen A. Alexander & Adil Godrej, 2015. "Greywater Disposal Practices in Northern Botswana—The Silent Spring?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:11:p:14529-14540:d:58799
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, Barney, 2006. "Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 63-80.
    2. Govender, T. & Barnes, J.M. & Pieper, C.H., 2011. "Contribution of water pollution from inadequate sanitation and housing quality to diarrheal disease in low-cost housing settlements of Cape Town, South Africa," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(7), pages 4-9.
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    1. Choongo Mulungu & Mutinta Muyaba, 2024. "Impact of On-Site Sanitation and Siting of Boreholes on Ground Water Quality in Choma Urban: A Case of New Kalundu and Humba Residential Areas," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(4), pages 1606-1620, April.

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