Abstract:
The study is conducted in Arba Minch Town which is the capital of Gamo Gofa administrative
zone. The aim of this study is to identify problems of sanitary system during inception, design,
implementation and construction management of the condominium sanitary system. The existing
household wastewater management in the town is very poor and creates adverse impact on the
environment water and air pollution. Factors that cause these impact are septic tanks, absorption
fields and soak away pits which are not constructed as per the design, Beside improper drainage
systems of household wastewater, low income and lack of awareness of the community to manage
household wastewater are the common factors causing problems in the study area. Both primary
and secondary data were used. The existing household sanitary system (wastewater) management
condition, the impact of inadequate household sanitary system management and challenges were
evaluated after findings based on the household survey of 312 sample respondents, interview and
field observations. Microsoft-excel was used to present and analyze; and bar graph, pie chart and
tables, percentages and figures were used. The results of the study included, the existing household
sanitary system (wastewater) management services was inadequate, health problem and air
pollution are impacts of improper management of household wastewater, insufficient
infrastructure, lack of coordination between institutions, inadequate participation of stakeholders
and lack of community awareness are challenges to manage household wastewater in the study
area. Based on findings and the case study; increase inaccessibility of household wastewater
management facilities, creating awareness to community, coordination and integration between
institutions, participation of stakeholders and provide sewerage system are the recommendations
forwarded in order to promote proper household wastewater management system in the study area.
From the findings I would like to propose an alternative treatment approach either replacing the
whole system or augment existing processes. The system, I propose is the Rotary Biological
Contactor(RBC), as an onsite treatment unit operation.