The increasing production of wastewater and excreta presents a significant management challenge in the city of Bukavu, in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the causes and consequences of poor wastewater and excreta management and their associated environmental risks in Bukavu. This study was conducted from October 15 to November 18, 2023, and encompassed 1210 households across the three municipalities of Bukavu. The research was carried out through field surveys, interviews, observations, and documentary analysis. The findings revealed that the majority of households (66%) are owner-occupied, compared to 21% by tenants. In the Bagira municipality, most households utilize manually flushed latrines (47%), whereas the use of modern toilets and pit latrines predominates in the Ibanda (67%) and Kadutu (70%) municipalities, respectively. Common disposal sites for fecal sludge include designated pits (65%), nearby canals (20%), and rivers and lakes (15%). Furthermore, over 60% of households in Bagira and more than 80% in Kadutu discharge their wastewater into open drainage channels, while over 65% of households in Ibanda discharge it into soak pits. Wastewater serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are vectors of malaria, the most prevalent disease in Bukavu. The results indicate that wastewater and excreta are predominantly managed in an unsanitary manner and are discharged into the environment. Pearson’s Chi-square test indicated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in wastewater discharge locations across the municipalities of Bukavu. It is imperative to intensify public awareness campaigns about the detrimental consequences of improper wastewater and excreta disposal.
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