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'''Human-powered Emptying and Transport refers the different ways in which people can manually empty and/or transport sludge and septage.'''
===Pumps===
[[Image:MAPET_and_Vacutug_system.PNG|thumb|right|150px200px|[[MAPET and Vacutug system |MAPET and Vacutug system]], in Tanzania (for credits, click the picture)]]
Some sanitation technologies can only be emptied manually, for example, the [[Fossa Alterna]] or [[Dehydration Vaults]]. These technologies must be emptied with a shovel because the material is solid and cannot be removed with a vacuum or a pump. When sludge is viscous or watery it should be emptied with a hand-pump, a MAPET or a vacuum truck, and not with buckets because of the high risk of collapsing pits, toxic fumes, and exposure to the unsanitized sludge. The type of emptying that can, and should be employed, is very specific to the technology that needs emptying.
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==Adequacy===
Hand-pumps are appropriate for areas that are either not served by vacuum trucks, where vacuumtruck emptying is too costly, or where narrow streets and poor roads may limit the ability of a vacuum truck to access the site. The hand-pump is a significant improvement over the bucket method and could prove to be a sustainable business opportunity in some regions. The MAPET is also well suited to dense, urban and informal settlements, although in both cases, the distance to a suitable sludge discharge point is a limiting factor. These technologies are more feasible when there is a [[Transfer Station - Underground Holding Tank]] or [[Sewer Discharge Station]] nearby.
Pushcarts and tricycles are especially appropriate in flat urban areas, with access roads. Pushcarts and tricycles are not appropriate for collecting large volumes (> 300 litre, > 300 kg) or for longer distances.
===Health Aspects/Acceptance===
Depending on cultural factors and political support, manual emptiers may be viewed as providing an important service to the community. Government-run programmes should strive to legitimize the work of the labourer and help improve the social climate by providing permits, licences and helping to legalize of the practice of manually emptying latrines. The most important aspect of manual emptying is ensuring that workers are adequately protected with gloves, boots, overalls and facemasks. Regular medical exams and vaccinations should be required for everyone working with sludge.
===Upgrading===
To save time, vacuum trucks can be used rather than manual labour if it is appropriate and/or available.
===Maintenance===
The MAPET and Sludge Pumps require daily maintenance (cleaning, repairing and desinfection). Workers that manually empty latrines should clean and maintain their protective clothing and tools to prevent contact with the sludge. If manual access to the contents of a pit require breaking open the slab, it may be more cost effective to use a Gulper to empty the latrine. The Gulper cannot empty the entire pit and therefore, emptying may be required more frequently (once a year), however, this may be a cheaper alternative than replacing a broken slab.
===References===
* Eales, K. (2005). Bringing pit emptying out of the darkness: A comparison of approaches in Durban, South Africa, and Kibera, Kenya. Building partnerships for Development in Water and Sanitation, UK. Available: http://www.bpd-waterandsanitation.org (A comparison of two manual emptying projects.)
* Sugden, S. (n.d.). Excreta Management in Unplanned Areas. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Available: http://siteresources.worldbank.org
===Acknowledgements===
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}