Willingness-to-pay and Costs for Novel Manual Emptying Services for Shared Onsite Sanitation Facilities in an Informal Settlement of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This study evaluates willingness-to-pay (WTP) and cost structures for innovative, group-based manual emptying services for onsite sanitation in low-income urban settlements. Combining household surveys with service provider interviews, the analysis reveals that organizing manual emptiers into coordinated teams reduces per-service costs by up to 30%. Households� average monthly WTP exceeded current fees by approximately 20%, suggesting viability for such systems with minor subsidies. The findings emphasize that group-based models can achieve efficiencies, affordability, and enhanced service sustainability.