Analysis and Plans for Communal Sanitation Facilities at the Tegucigalpa, Honduras Solid Waste Disposal Site

Abstract

ABSTRACT ANALYSIS AND PLANS FOR COMMUNAL SANITATION FACILITIES AT THE TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE by © Kara E. Scheitlin 2011 Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies: Environmental Engineering California State University, Chico Fall 2011 Scavenging for valuable materials in solid waste is a common informal means of earning income throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Despite many scavengers preferring their occupation to more traditional careers, the general population often views them as a lower tier of society, and as disreputable, polluting, and unclean. There are approximately 300-400 scavengers working and/or residing at the Tegucigalpa, Honduras Solid Waste Disposal Site. The population, largely comprised of women and children, are regularly exposed to health hazards including medical waste, human and animal excrement, leachate, and chemicals. Additionally, many of the scavengers obtain food and drinking water from discarded waste within the Disposal Site. The purpose of this project is to provide analysis and the preliminary design for a communal sanitation facility for the scavenger community at the Tegucigalpa Solid Waste Disposal Site. The sanitation facility will provide the scavengers with a resource to improve public health and living and working conditions for the community. The recommended facility design includes ventilated improved pit latrines, pila-style wash basins, and a drinking water supply. The recommended design has the highest probability of long-term success and is a substantial improvement over the current resources available to the pepenadores. Based on an increased level of commitment of resources from the Municipality of Tegucigalpa than initially anticipated, the final design (currently in the implementation phase) includes showers, ventilated improved pit latrines, and pila-style wash basins. Additionally, a medical clinic and facultative treatment pond will be constructed as part of the facility.