Spatial analysis of the link between solid waste and floods in Kalikiliki and Kanyama ward settlements in the city of Lusaka, Zambia.

Abstract

Solid waste management is a large and growing problem for countries in the developing world and is often a neglected aspect of urban management. Poor waste management can contribute to the impact of urban flooding by blocking drainages and increasing debris. However, information is lacking on the link between solid waste management and floods in the city of Lusaka, Zambia. It was for this reason that this study sought to establish how the indiscriminate disposal of waste contributes to urban flooding. Specifically, the study sought to identify the types of solid waste produced by the residents in Kalikiliki and Kanyama Ward 10 settlements, investigate how solid waste is disposed of by households and find out challenges faced by residents in disposing of solid waste. A total of 505 questionnaires were administered to any adult present at each particular household. This included 200 from Kalikiliki and 305 from Kanyama Ward 10. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 key informants from relevant institutions and observations were also made. The results of the study indicate that the types of domestic solid wastes generated in the study areas were mainly organic, paper, plastic, old and rusted metals, diapers and textile wastes. The study was able to confirm and map points in the two settlements where waste contributes to flooding. The study also confirmed that waste collection franchise is inadequate in Kalikiliki and Kanyama Ward 10 settlements. This was easily identified by persistent heaps of uncollected waste found on ubiquitous illegal dumps. Therefore, residents in the two settlements resort to unsafe and unsustainable waste disposal practices such as burning, burying and open dumping, which contribute to blockage of drainages. On the challenges faced on solid waste disposal, it was revealed that residents of the two settlements have no designated damping places. The study further revealed that residents’ perceptions indicate that means of solid waste management contribute to the flooding in the study areas. The research concluded that open dumping and depositing of waste in uncontrolled and unauthorized locations contribute to increased flood events. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends that Ministry of local government and rural development through LCC should provide waste receptacles in large quantities and place them at intervals of not more than 200 metres apart in both settlements and even commercial areas. Keywords: Municipal Solid waste management, flood management, drainage System, open dumping, developing countries, community response