Wastewater management in Ethiopian higher learning institutions: functionality, sustainability and policy context

Abstract

This study investigates the existing wastewater management situation in Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on university campus wastewater. The investigation was carried out by reviewing literature, reports, policy documents and field visits integrated with laboratory assessment. It was established that from the seven universities only two have functional wastewater treatment plants, but none of them meet effluent standards. These mainly centrally prescribed systems lack sustainability because of problems related to technology choice, affordability and technical skills. This paper proposes feasible rehabilitation strategies for the existing wastewater systems. A combination of policy instruments and integrated wastewater management strategies are proposed. Although based on specific data from Ethiopia, the findings and recommendations of this study also apply to other, similar, low-income countries where the population is booming but overall wastewater management planning is lagging behind.