Community Perceptions of Water Supply and Sanitation€¦ · · 2015-04-23Community Perceptions of Water Supply and Sanitation ... long waiting time) include Hill Cot Rd, Calaba

Community Perceptions of Water Supply and SanitationConsultation Workshop 13th March 2008

Freetown Strategic Water Supply and Sanitation Framework

In association with

Communities Surveyed

Communities selected for the survey questionnaires (2280) were categorised:

1. Poorest Areas (known Slum, high Population Density) include Mabella, Susan’s Bay and Portee Old Wharf

2. Poor Areas (medium population density, some coverage of essential services, sense of security) include: Lumley Grassfield, Red Pump, and Kissy )

3. Poor households in better-off areas (piped water to exisitng households, improved structures / Dwellings among household compounds) include: Goderich, Spur Loop, and Wilkinson Rd.

4. Areas where there is limited or no water supply or essential services (GVWC system is non-existent, low pressure, infrequency of supply, long waiting time) include Hill Cot Rd, Calaba Town, and Tower Hill.

Water Access: Access to GUMA Sources

Dry Season

13th February 2008 Freetown SWSSF

Water Access: Access to GUMA Sources

Rainy Season


Water Access: Access to Alternative Sources

Dry Season


Water Access: Access to Alternative Sources

Rainy Season


Water Access: Main Findings GUMA (dry & rainy season)

• Most communities: significant access to GUMA

public/private tap stands (32% on average access from Public)

• Lower access to public TS higher incident of cut pipes (7-10% on average - wet to dry)

• Calaba Town & Red Pump minimal access to GUMA (less than 4% on average in both seasons)

• There is no significant difference in access to GUMA

between dry and rainy season


Water Access: Main FindingsAlternative Sources• The main alternative sources are protected springs,

traditional wells, streams & swamps and rain water (rainy season)

• Calaba Town and Red Pump show significant access to

alternative sources (rain water, protected wells and streams/swamps respectively)

• Tower Hill, Goderich, Spur Loop and Wilkinson Road do not

show significant access to alternative sources

• Street Vendors are a significant source of water supply in

both dry and rainy season (average: 16%)


Water Collection/Consumption/Cost• The level of consumption equals the level of collection

• 100 to 200 litres per day for an average household of 6-10 persons

• consumption range per capita per day is 17 – 20 litres per person / day

• 18.5 LPCPD of water used for drinking, cooking, laundry and washing

• People are spending between 100-500 LE per 20 L Jerry Can

• In conclusion, water-costs per person range between 100-500 LE per day

• On average, 48% of respondents spend > 50,000 Leones per family per month


Sanitation13th February 2008 Freetown SWSSF


Number of users paying for use of public latrines

According to the community survey, 65% of participants who responded that they use public latrines, indicated that they do not pay.

Community Percentage

Mabella 51%

Susan’s Bay 97%

Portee Old Wharf 3%

Grassfield 18%

Red Pump 9%

Kissy 54%

Goderich 7%

Spur Loop 49%

Wilkinson 41%

Hill Cot Road 34%

Calaba Town 1%

Tower Hill 13%

Average 35%


“What would you invest your money in to improve sanitation?”

• 42% - emptying toilet/latrine

• 27% - new toilet/latrine/septic tank

• Only 3% indicated sewerage as a priority for investment

Sanitation: Main findings

• Majority of respondents (70 – 100%) have access to excreta disposal facilities. Lowest coverage being in Goderich and highest coverage in Tower Hill

• The type of excreta disposal system used varies according to community. Spur Loop reporting the highest usage of flush toilets (41%)

• Red Pump and most other communities having access or using predominantly pit latrine (30 – 80%)

• Portee Old Wharf reports higher usage of flush latrines (45%) and VIP (40%)

• Susan’s Bay reporting over 70% public toilet block


Hygiene Knowledge vs. PracticeMost Respondents indicate that...

1.That they know when it is important to wash hands.2.What causes diarrhoea.3.How to prevent diarrhoea4.Clean their yard or compound regularly.5.Disposal of domestic waste is by burning.

• However, average 29% (67% Susan’s Bay – 13% Portee Old Wharf) responded that one or more of their family members had diarrhoea in the last month.

• Therefore, there is a significant gap between hygiene knowledge and practice.

• This could be due to the fact that sufficient water supply and sanitation conditions are not in place or they just don’t always practice what they know.

Recommendations• To increase the no. of public tap stands in poorer

communities, as well as more developed areas of Freetown, where urban poor are dwelling.

• To increase the no. of public sanitation facilities in poorer areas of Freetown, where they can easily be accessed for maintenance.

• Provide sufficient basic services for slum communities, with tariffs structured in a way that ensures a minimum daily amount of water to be free or affordable for poor people.

• In slum areas set-up community managed user and maintenance systems.

Documents

Community Perceptions of Water Supply and Sanitation€¦ · · 2015-04-23Community Perceptions of Water Supply and Sanitation ... long waiting time) include Hill Cot Rd, Calaba