Sustainability of Sanitary Facilities in the Construction Environment in Mzuzu City.

6th International Construction Conference

Nkopola Lodge, Mangochi
2nd August, 2018
By
Eng. Eddie Mtonga
 Introduction

 Problem statement

 Objectives

 Methods

 Results

 Lessons Learnt

 Conclusion
 Mzuzu City is largest urban center in the Northern Region of Malawi
and third largest after Lilongwe and Blantyre(MCC,2016)

 The city has a population of 133,968 with growth rate

estimated at 4.2 percent per annum thereby making it one of
the fastest growing cities in Malawi (UN-HABITAT, 2011).
 Undergoing very rapid population growth and rapid urbanization.
 Tripartite land ownership (City Council, Malawi Housing Corporation
and Department of Lands)
 Experiences humid conditions throughout the year with maximum
rainfall of 255mm usually in March
 Floods are common in recent times, Masasa, Chiputula, Zolozolo ,
Slaughter etc
 It is estimated that about 48.3 percent of Mzuzu’s population lives in informal settlements (UN-
HABITAT, 2011). Living conditions are poor, sanitation facilities are unsustainable

 Even in planned settlements, most construction works do not have or have sanitary facilities that are in
poor state

 Drainage systems designed to cope with most extreme conditions are absent.

 The city relies on on-site sanitation facilities like septic tanks (MCC, 2016). The efficiency and
effectiveness of septic systems partly rely on the soils in in the reach field to treat and absorb
wastewaters safely but these are rarely considered in the construction environment.

 Sanitary facilities in the construction environment are very poor and unsustainable.

 Temporary toilets without cover, no proper housing, unsustainable timber substructure that can collapse
at any time.

 Uusually common toilet for both men and women workers.

 Poor sanitation leading to the spread of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, etc

 Women are particularly exposed and prone to abuse.

 Gender balance in construction industry is halted.

 What happens when it rains?

 Main Objective: The overall objective of this research project is to analyze
sustainability of sanitary facilities in the construction environment in Mzuzu
City .

 Specific Objectives
1. To analyze the process flow for constructed facilities and the
construction environment

2. To assess project delivery approaches for sanitary facilities in the built

environment for provate owned projects

3. To suggest innovations for good practice.

 The study utilized process flow tracking from project conception to
implementation and then operation.
 Key Informant interviews were conducted with the directorate of
planning at council level.
 The council’s technical meeting was attended to see the proceedings of
approving projects
 NCIC provided data for on-going projects within the city.
 Survey of sanitary facilities in construction sites was conducted.
 Observations were made on the structures and the accompanying
sanitary facilities including the way they were being used.
 Contractors were interviewed
 Clients were interviewed and contract documents were analyzed
 Gender analysis was carried out in construction teams
• Sanitation is rarely an objective of development agenda.
• It is usually overshadowed by the purpose of the main structure such
that the technical committee does not consider it in depth.
• Contracts often forget about sanitation in totality.
• BOQ miss sanitation requirements, rarely incorporated in preliminary
and general but the percentage allocated is too small for sustainability
• Faecal sludge management chain is not considered in the approval
process of development projects.
• Most construction works used informal contracts (labour only).N=12,
• The employer is interested in using cheap labour (a foreman from
brick lazing background) to manage a big structructure. The
contractor is either not registered or registered in lower category
compared to the value of the project being undertaken.
• NCIC loses revenuews.
• Value of the project is not precices known.
• Sanitary facilities were too temporary mostly for
building works.
• Even in circumstances where sanitation is an
objective of the infrastructure, sanitary facilities were
poor.
• Generally , the superstructure for the toilet is in
roofing sheets but with no top cover.
• Normally misused and no cleaning exercises
• Road works had no project toilets
• Women participation was still at infant level meaning
that the industry is still dominated by men due to
sanitary situation.
• No room for changing pants and menstrual hygiene
products, mostly there is a single toilet at site.
• Where people are doing construction works,
faecal sludge management has to be
considered.
• It should be part of life style in every
industry.
• Sustainability is thinking about the future
without compromising today’s requirements
• Inefficient faecal sludge service chain
exposes the environment to mass pollution.
• Emptying , transportation, treatment, reuse
or disposal should be considered in the
construction environment.
• Circular economy should be considered to
optimize use of resources found in the
sanitation chain.

• To achieve sustainable sanitary facilities, they
should form part of the contract with
necessary specifications
• The city must put this as a requirement for
 Normally, the toilets are located in hidden places not
accessible by emptying services
 They rely heavily on timber which is scares nowadays and is
not sustainable. Alternative materials for construction are
suggested

any construction site and must accompany

 Separate toilets are needed for males and females
rightful measures at project closure. respectively.
 Decency is needed in all sanitary facilities
• Sanitation is a continuous concern in any
 Labour only contracts sabotage checking and powers of the
development.Therefore it is suggested that engineer as it is difficult to criticize the client. Not good for
sustainable city.
permanent structures be developed which
 The city council in partnership with NCIC should engage and
may be incorporated in the operation of train clients immediately after approval of their plans, on
issues related to sanitation and sustainable city development.
infrastructure.
 There is need for regulation into labour only contracts to
• Complete sanitation cycle should be ensure compliance and adherance to citys sustainable
development policies.
considered right from the beginning.