Mechanised Gulper for Faecal Sludge Collection - Integrated Urban Development Phase 2 (IUD-II)
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Authors
Practical Action Bangladesh
Issue Date
2016-03
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Water and Sanitation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Practical Action has modified manual gulpers (hand-driven pump) to mechanised ones for safe and fast sludge extraction in Faridpur, Bangladesh. This technology has changed the unhygienic practice of cleaning sludge with bare hands. It has also enhanced working capacity by reducing the time and work load of the workers. This technology can collect sludge from narrow and difficult places where Vacutag have no access. "I am Samsu Sheikh, a pit emptier in Faridpur. I empty septic tanks and pit latrines in the area. It is very difficult to reach some of the houses, as the paths are very narrow, and so they rely on me to reach them." "I used to empty the tanks with a bucket and a rope and would touch the human waste with my bare hands! I would have to wash them with alcohol. Practical Action helped me because they understood the work I had to do. They developed a gulper so that I could empty the tanks without having to touch the waste." "I have worked with other pit emptiers in the area so we could form an association, and we've been able to register as a business. Our association is called Kuthibari Cleaner Sromojobi Somobay Samity Limited." "The gulper has been a lifesaver! It can be carried by two people and operated by just one person. We no longer have to worry about our health because waste doesn't spit out during the process and the faeces do not touch our skin." "Before we had the gulper it would smell when emptying the pits and the customers would complain, but not now. In fact, we haven't had one complaint and members of other communities have requested that we empty their pits." "I'm so happy that we have the gulper. I feel healthy and proud to do my job!"