What is a Rapid Technical Assessment
A Rapid Technical Assessment identifies household level sanitation systems and practices. It provides input to city-run sanitation improvement programs by identifying issues or problems that can be addressed to improve the quality of life and health through better sanitation.
To perform a Rapid Technical Assessment, teams of three are deployed to barangays where they interview residents about their sanitation practices, and assess the plumbing and sanitation infrastructure, such as septic tanks and sewers. The team consists of a plumber, an engineer and a barangay health worker. The roles and responsibilities are as follows:
The plumber. Much of proper sanitation systems revolves around plumbing. Plumbers assess the condition of the pipes and fixtures, proper fixture connections and venting;
The engineer. Engineers look at sanitation systems, such as septic tanks, pit toilets, sewers or other components and judge their condition and function, and the potential for upgrading or repairing inadequate systems;
The Barangay Health Worker (BHW). The BHW plays an important role by interfacing with the resident, and asking survey questions about the sanitation practices in the home.
Rapid Technical Assessments should take about an hour. When completed, the results can be compiled by barangay or smaller community to determine appropriate interventions designed to improve sanitation in a given area of the city.
There are six steps in a Rapid Technical Assessment for residential houses:
Step 1: Gather baseline data and document existing conditions
Step 2: Assess the septic tank
Step 3: Identify any plumbing problems in the building
Step 4: Assess the drainage
Step 5: Making recommendations
Step 6: Determining the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices related to septic tanks and sanitation
First, Some Definitions
- Blackwater – wastewater from toilets
- Building sewer – A pipe or channel that conveys sewage away from a house, ideally to a septic tank or sanitary sewer
- Desludging – the process of removing septage, or the contents of a pit toilet, typically through the use of a vacuum truck.
- Effluent – partially or fully treated wastewater from septic tanks or other treatment equipment that flows to the next treatment stage or to the point of discharge
- Greywater – the wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry washing.
- On-site Wastewater Treatment System – Sanitation equipment that treats and/or disposes sewage or wastewater on the site where it is generated
- Sanitary sewer – a pipeline or channel for conveying septic tank effluent or raw sewage to off site treatment or discharge
- Septage – The contents of septic tanks. This is the concentrated waste that a family produces and includes the sludge, scum and liquid that accumulates over years.
- Septic tank – an water tight, multi chambered tank that receives sewage from the home or building and treats it by settling and anaerobic decomposition
- Sewage – The wastewater that discharges from homes or buildings. Includes wastewater from toilets, sinks, kitchens and showers.
- VIP – Ventilated Improved Pit toilet. A pit toilet that is constructed so that air enters through the doorway, down through the toilet, and up through a vent.
In this lesson, we will discuss the method of gathering the baseline data and documenting existing conditions. One end result of your site investigation will be a completed checklist and site plan drawing (sketch).
Step 1: Gather Baseline Data and Document Existing Conditions
In this step, the team will gather the baseline data and document existing conditions. This generally starts with the team touring the house and property accompanied by the building owner or occupant. As the team walks around, they are looking for the key sanitation components: toilets, septic tanks, drainage lines and others. After the brief tour, the plumber and engineer work together to document the existing conditions by preparing a site plan sketch. At the same time, the BHW sits down with the owner or occupant and conducts a survey about the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sanitation. The end result is a completed site plan sketch, and valuable survey data.
Task: Make a site plan sketch (click picture for enlargement)
This is a sample site plan sketch. Notice the main features. The property boundaries are shown, as is the nearest street, the septic tank and off site drainage features. This drawing can be used by desludgers to determine where they can best position the truck to simplify the desludging activities.
How to make a site plan sketch
On a sheet of paper, sketch the features of the site. Make sure to record the locations of:
- Buildings and structures
- Property lines
- Neighboring building and land use (residential, commercial, other)
- Location of water service connections (wells or Water District service)
- Septic tanks, sewer lines and discharge points
- Driveway and nearest road
- Slope, cut banks, streams or rivers, floodplains
Hint -- Take your time. Try and draw the site plan to scale to the extent possible. Interview the homeowner or resident to determine where the property lines are. Ask if other buildings or homes are connected to the septic tank.
Hint -- Often, laundry washing discharges or kitchen wastes do not drain to the septic tank. Talk to the owner and determine if this is the case. If so, sketch in the location and plot the discharge drainage.
Hint -- In many situations, there is no septic tank at all. Residents may use a pit latrine or practice open defecation. The site evaluation must identify these conditions if they exist.
Hint -- Interview the homeowner using the homeowner questionnaire. This is a good way to find out where septic and plumbing problems exist.
Hint –- While making the site plan sketch, look for open spaces that might be used for future sanitation improvements, such as the installation of a new or upgraded septic tank, installation of an improved pit toilet (if no toilets exist), or areas where greywater may be used for on-site irrigation.
Site plan Checklist
• North arrow shown
• Nearest street or road shown
• Property lines shown
• Parking area shown
• All buildings and paved areas shown
• Location of well, water line shown
• Location of existing septic tank, pit toilet, other sanitary structures shown
• Greywater discharge point shown
• Building sewer line from house to septic tank, septic tank to sewer
• Topography. provide arrows that indicate the slope
Questions to consider as you make the site plan sketch:
Is this property in a flood plain?
• Yes. If so, how often does it flood, and how high does the flood water get?
• No
Are buildings from neighboring properties connected to the septic tank?
• Yes. If so, be sure to draw them along with the sewer lines
• No
Are roof gutters and surface drainage directed away from the septic tank?
• Yes
• No
Is there any land on the property available for a new septic tank, pit toilet, on-site irrigation?
• Yes. If so, identify it on the site plan
• No
Where does the wastewater go after it leaves the house / septic tank?
• All underground – it leaches from the septic tank
• Effluent or sewage flows through a closed pipe or channel to off-site drainage
• Effluent or sewage flows through an open channel to off site drainage
Step 2: Assess the Septic Tank
In this step, determine:
- Where the septic tank is on the property
- If there is an access port over each septic tank compartment
- Accessibility of the septic tank for desludging
Septic tanks are often located in the home, either somewhere under the comfort room, or under the kitchen. Sometimes, homeowners can help identify openings in the floor that may lead to septic tanks.Hint -- If you can't locate the tank, try the tic tic method where the evaluator uses a steel bar to gently tap on the floor to locate the septic tank. Hollow sounds when tapping may indicate the location of the tank.
Hint -- Measure the distance from the clean out to the nearest access point for the desludging truck. This will help determine how much hose will be required to pump the septic tank. Then, measure the road to verify it is wide enough to accommodate the truck.
Proper septic tank. Notice the two access ports. This is a two compartment septic tank. Also notice the inlet and outlet structures.
Septic tank safety
1. Never enter a septic tank. Septic tanks are confined spaces that can accumulate toxic gasses, and displace oxygen. Workers entering a tank can be quickly overcome. Cleaning of septic tanks should only be performed by licensed septic tank desludgers.
2. Never smoke around a septic tank. Septic tanks produce biogas, which contains methane. It is explosive and can be ignited by cigarettes or lighters.
3. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands after coming in contact with septic tanks, wastewater or sewage. Sewage contains bacteria and other pathogens that can make you sick. Don’t pass on disease causing germs to your family. Protect yourself by washing your hands often.
4. Secure septic tank access ports. Access ports must be protected from unauthorized entry. Children especially are at risk of falling into or otherwise entering unsecured septic tanks. Secure lids with safety screws or other devices to keep kids out.
Site inspectors should inspect septic tanks to verify that they are in sound condition and will not present a hazard. Unsecured tank lids, or deteriorating tank structures that could fail and pose a hazard to home occupants should be identified.
Step 3: Check the Plumbing and Venting
Often, bad plumbing or poor venting can cause odors in the home, excessive water use, and drainage problems. Check the toilets for sound installation. Look for p-traps, listen for water leaks (does the toilet run). Finally, check the roof. Proper venting of septic tanks is through the plumbing stack in the home.Hint -- Vent pipes protruding through the roof are a good indication of proper venting. Lack of vent pipes indicates potential venting problems.
Hint -- Venting at the roof level is proper. Venting septic tanks at street level can lead to odors in our communities.
A bit about septic tank effluent
The water that comes out from the septic tank actually contains quite a bit of pollution. It has organic matter, suspended solids, and pathogens that can make people sick. Proper septic systems have septic tanks for treatment, but also systems for disposing the septic tank effluent. In the picture above, the structure on the right (leach field/drain field) is the effluent disposal system for this home. Also called an on-site disposal system, this structure safely disposes of the effluent on the same site where it was generated. More about this discussion follows in the drainage section below.
On-site disposal – If there is room, as in rural areas, and if the soils are good, home owners may use leaching trenches or pits. These are gravel filled holes where the septic tank effluent is directed, so it can seep into the ground safely.
If there is no space for leaching, consider clustering effluent from several homes and having a common-leaching trench.
More on p-traps
A p-trap is one of the most important elements of plumbing. They are very simple to visualize, and you have them under every plumbing fixture in your home. P-traps exist because the house drain system is empty much of the time, and does not completely flush out human waste and other waste products out of the system. As waste decomposes the process releases methane and other flammable, odorous gasses.
The house plumbing system is called a DWV system for Drain/Wastewater/Ventilation, and over each drain there must also be a riser that will terminate in a vent above the roof. The roof vent permits gas to escape. You can tell a DWV vent from other roof perforations because they are open on top, as the drain pipes aren't worried about rain coming in.
But being gasses, those noxious vapors will vent where they can. So to ensure that your gasses stay inside the system and go to the roof, plumbers install a p-trap everywhere, except under your toilet, whose bowl itself serves as a trap.
The trap is very simple. Imagine a capital P letter, turned on its side so the fat part points down. As you run water through the sink, waste water will flow down into the p and back up down the stem into the DWV riser. When you shut off the sink a small amount of water remains trapped in the P, blocking the gasses. The water doesn't get rancid because you change it every time you run the faucet.
Thanks to http://everything2.com/title/P+trap for their assistance with this post.
Greywater
In addition to looking for proper plumbing connections, it is important to determine which fixtures are connected to the septic tank. In many homes, only toilets are connected to septic tanks, and sinks and showers discharge to open drains. Discharging greywater to surface drains can lead to odors, flies and other nuisance conditions, and can choke streams, rivers and estuaries with organic matter, grease and other pollutants.
Greywater is wastewater that comes from lavatory sinks, showers, and laundry washing. Grey water is easier to manage than toilet water as it contains fewer pathogens, less nutrients and organic matter. Where possible, greywater should be used for on-site irrigation instead of being allowed to discharge off site. In dense urban areas, two or more homes can combine their greywater and create common planting areas. The site evaluator should note where greywater exits the home and where it goes.
Prior to irrigation, greywater must first be filtered to remove the solid materials. There are many types of greywater filters. Some are pictured below:
Step 4: Assessing the Drainage
Once the septic tank and any greywater discharges have been located, the site evaluator should determine what happens to the sewage after it leaves the home or septic tank. Three possibilities exist:
Ø The sewage or effluent soaks into the soil
Ø The sewage or effluent flows through pipes or closed channels to the nearest drainage or sewer line
Ø The sewage or effluent flows through open channels to the nearest drainage
For sites where the soils are permeable and deep, leaching is one potential option. Shown here is a typical leaching pit:
This can be used for septic tank effluent, or greywater after it has passed through a suitable filter.
Other configurations of leaching systems are trenches and beds. Trenches maximize the amount of soil absorption area and are easy to construct. Shallow rock filled beds can also be used if space allows.
In many circumstances, effluent tor greywater flows on top of the ground in open channels or ditches to the estero. Simply installing pipes to keep the sewage contained can help greatly in reducing the potential for human contact with wastewater. This also helps to minimize odors and flies.
Leaching Beds
This photo shows a septic tank and leaching bed under construction. The size of the leaching bed is determined by the number of occupants in the house, and the permeability of the soil. To build the bed, soils are excavated one meter deep and filled with crushed rock. Then perforated pipe is laid out from the septic tank to achieve even distribution.
Leaching Beds
This photo shows a septic tank and leaching bed under construction. The size of the leaching bed is determined by the number of occupants in the house, and the permeability of the soil. To build the bed, soils are excavated one meter deep and filled with crushed rock. Then perforated pipe is laid out from the septic tank to achieve even distribution.
Step 5: Making Recommendations
After the site has been assessed, the team is in a position to make recommendations, which should be done in writing in a paragraph or two in the space provided on the assessment form.
Here the team will use their professional judgment to make informed recommendations based on actual site conditions. The goal is to improve conditions to remove the potential for human contact with sewage.
Examples:
a. If there is no septic tank or toilet and space allows, recommend installation of a VIP or communal toilet system;
b. If sewage is conveyed in open channels, recommend the installation of closed sewers
c. If greywater is causing nuisance conditions, recommend a greywater filter and on-site irrigation
d. If septic odors are common in the house due to poor plumbing or venting, recommend installation of proper p traps and vents on all fixtures
e. If septic tanks are open or access ports do not seal properly, recommend improving access ports so that they can be easily opened and secured when closed.
Step 6: Determining the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) related to Septic Tanks and Sanitation
While the plumbers and engineers are assessing the technical aspects of the sanitary facilities, BHWs conduct interviews with homeowners or residents. The survey is developed to gather information that will be useful in designing the promotions campaigns. Practices related to the care and use of septic tanks is most important. Information on how people dispose of grease or food waste, for example can identify opportunities for improving septic tank performance and minimizing sludge accumulation. Other points of the survey should determine:
- Where people get information: newspaper, barangay meetings, TV, Radio
- Who people trust for information on health - BHW, Barangay captain, City Health Office, other
- Knowledge about disease reduction through hygiene
Taken together, the technical aspects of sanitary facilities in the home, along with KAP survey is a very useful tool in planning and implementing effective septage management programs.
Below are the questions used in the San Fernando La Union Rapid Technical Assessment. They may be used as a model questionnaire, or you may prepare other specific questions to address conditions particular to your LGU, socioeconomic or geographic conditions.
Survey Questions
1. The septic tank is:
b. Under the house
2. Access Ports
a. There are a minimum of two access ports or manholes
b. There is only one access port or manhole
c. No access ports or manholes can be found
3. A septage vacuum truck can access this house
a. Yes
b. No
c. Yes, but with difficulty
4. The distance from the truck access to the septic tank manhole is:
a. Less than 10 meters
b. Between 10 and 20 meters
c. Between 20 and 30 meters
d. Greater than 30 meters
Plumbing, Venting and Drainage
5. There is a plumbing vent stack protruding from the roof
a. Yes
b. No
c. Can’t tell
6. All plumbing fixtures appear to have proper p-traps
a. Yes
b. No
7. Greywater from the house flows to the septic tank
a. Yes
b. No
c. Can’t tell
8. Greywater and/or septic tank effluent flows through
a. Closed pipes or channel to a drainage outside of the property
b. Open channel to a drainage outside of the property
For Homes Without Septic Tanks
1. There is an existing pit toilet on the property
a. Yes
b. No
2. There appears to be space for a pit toilet on the property. The space identified is at least 25 meters from any well, and groundwater is > 2 meters below ground surface)
a. Yes
b. No
3. There is a communal or shared toilet for occupants of this home
a. Within 25 meters of the home
b. Between 25 and 50 meters from the home
c. Greater than 50 meters from the home
d. There is no communal toilet available for occupants of this home
For Homes with Pit Toilets
4. The pit toilet has a vent pipe protruding from the roof
a. Yes
b. No
5. The pit toilet sits on a concrete slab
a. Yes
b. No
6. Odors and/or flies are present at the time of inspection
a. Yes
b. No
7. There is space for an additional pit toilet on this property
a. Yes
b. No
Background Questions:
1. This house was built:
a. Between 2000 and 2010
b. Between 1990 and 2000
c. Between 1980 and 1990
d. Between 1970 and 1980
e. Before 1970
f. Not known when the house was built
2. Water supply source to this house:
a. Shallow well
b. Deep well
c. Water district
d. Other ___________________________________________________
3. Is water supply pressurized?
a. Yes
b. No
4. This house is:
a. Upland Rural– no neighbor within 25 meters
b. Upland Urban – neighboring houses are within 25 meters
c. Coastal Rural – on the coastal plane and no neighbors within 25 meters
d. Coastal Urban – on the coastal plane and neighbors within 25 meters
e. Other __________________________________________________
5. Which statement is most accurate?
a. My house has a septic tank and a sanitary toilet
b. My house shares a septic tank and a common toilet with other families
c. We have a pit toilet (Antipolo) for our house in the back yard
d. We share a pit toilet with other households
e. We do not have access to toilet facilities
f. Other __________________________________________________
6. What is the estimated family monthly income?
a. Less than P5,000
b. Between P5,000 – 7,500
c. Between P7,500 – 10,000
d. Between P10,000 – 15,000
e. Greater than P15,000
7. Indoor Plumbing
a. Yes. There are plumbing fixtures, drains in the house
b. No. There are no plumbing fixtures or drains in the house
If you said yes to #7, please answer the questions below. If you sand no, we are done! Thank you for your time.
Indoor Plumbing Questions
1. I smell septic odor (rotten eggs) in the house
a. All the time
b. Frequently
c. Infrequently
d. Never
2. I experience slow drains or problems with toilet flushing
a. All the time
b. Frequently
c. Infrequently
d. Never
3. I have seen my septic tank overflow (sewage running or ponding on the ground surface)
a. All the time
b. Frequently
c. Infrequently
d. Never
4. I place grease and oil from cooking
a. Down the drain
b. In the trash
c. Other
5. I place coffee grounds, egg shells, and scrapings from plates and utensils
a. Down the drain
b. In the trash
c. Other
6. I know exactly where my septic tank is
a. Yes
b. No
7. My septic tank has a manhole that can be removed for desludging
a. Yes
b. No
8. How many houses are connected to the septic tank you use?
a. Only my house
b. My house and one other
c. My house and two others
d. My house and three others
e. My house and 4 or more other houses
f. Don't know
9. Estimate the total number of people that use the septic tank your home is connected to (adding up all of the people in all of the houses that are connected to the tank)
a. Between 1 and 3
b. Between 4 and 6
c. Between 7 and 10
d. Greater than 10
e. Don’t know
10. When is the last time the septic tank was desludged?
a. Within the last year
b. Within the last two years
c. Between 3 and 5 years ago
d. More than five years ago
e. The tank has never been desludged
f. I don’t know
11. If your tank has been desludged, how much did you pay?
a. Less than P2,500
b. Between P2,500 and 5,000
c. Between 5,000 and 8,000
d. More thank P8000
12. If your tank was desludged, how was it done:
a. Manually – people using buckets and shovels
b. Vacuum truck of a private company (name:_____________)
c. Other _______________________________________________________
That’s it! We’re done!! We will use this information to help us design our septage program so it best meets the needs of the citizens of San Fernando in improving our sanitation for health and to benefit our community.
Thank you for participating.
