The majority of the world’s population uses onsite sanitation systems like pit latrines and septic tanks. These usually require emptying when full. Some of the households using these systems lack access to pit emptying services as they are seemingly costly or they have the emptying performed under unsafe and poor standards.
Since 2021, Opero and Practica Foundation have been collaborating to test and commercialize the Pupu Pump – a mobile pit emptying technology. The consortium has worked together and tested the use of the technology with Gasia Poa – a waste management enterprise in Kisumu, Kenya.
The PuPu Pump was developed specifically for emptying where exhausters can not reach. The pump pulls sludge into a pumping unit and then pushes that sludge up 70m to a tank (Push + Pull = PuPu). Its usefulness in emptying pit latrines comes from the fact that it can reach a high vacuum in a short time through a combination of a small compressor, a reservoir with an automatic duckbill non-return valve, and a manually operated suction/pressure valve.
The pump minimizes operator exposure to faecal sludge and also environmental contamination through proper waste containment. Its efficiency lies in its speed (3000 L pumped in 20-30 min), the ability to pump to a tank of any capacity, and the automation process.
Through the test done with Ghasia Poa as service providers, they have been able to move from manual emptying methods to a more professional service enabling them to:
- Decrease the emptying time and cost for service provision allowing them to target more customers (40,000+ customers served to date)
- Increase the profitability of the enterprise leading to an increase in job opportunities
- Increase the safety of pit latrine emptying processes (no longer a manual process) which improves their work conditions
- Increase the legitimacy of pit latrine emptying service provision making it an appealing opportunity for youth & women
Next steps
From 2024, the consortium is working to establish a sustainable supply chain through a distributorship model for the PuPu pump and sell 15 units We will also be developing and selling on-site sanitation training packages to customers and showcasing the pump at our technology hub to aid customer decision-making.
