Wastewater represents a health risk for the population. For sanitary safety, it is important to know its physico-chemical and microbiological qualities in order to better understand the risks incurred by the population. The aim of this study was to analyze Adétikopé’s domestic wastewater from a microbiological and physico-chemical standpoint. Twelve wastewater samples were taken in Adétikopé from December 2022 to February 2023. Physico-chemical parameters were determined in accordance with AFNOR and the French NF standard. In microbiology, AFNOR was used as a reference for the detection of germs contaminating wastewater. Results were assessed in relation to European Union Criteria 98/83/EC. The wastewater analyzed has a pH close to neutral, with an average pH of 7.05. The pollutant load generated ranged from 32 mG/L to 201 mg/L for BOD5, from 660 mG/L to 900 mG/L for COD and from 408 mG/L to 2080 mG/L for suspended solids. The highest levels of germs were detected in the samples taken, with values of 68,000 CFU/100 mL and 47,000 CFU/100 mL for thermotolerant coliforms and fecal streptococci, respectively. The results show that fecal contamination originates from both animal and human sources. Concentrations of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are very high, far exceeding WHO guidelines. While a short-term solution would be to disinfect household sanitation systems on a daily basis, in the long term, the construction of collective sanitation systems, backed up by environmental education, remains a sustainable solution for the health and safety of populations.

In African cities, the ever-increasing production of wastewater and excreta poses a major management problem. The aim of this study was to take stock of wastewater and excreta management in Adétikopé in the commune of Agoè-Nyivé 6. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of the locality of Adétikopé in terms of wastewater and excreta management, which took place from August 2022 to July 2023. It involved 5256 households in 12 villages in the locality of Adétikopé and was carried out via a field survey, interviews, observations and documentary research. The results showed that 72.60% of respondents were women. The majority of households (85.62%) had latrines, 66.40% of which had never been emptied. The remainder used a mechanical emptying truck (5.48%). Households without latrines (14.38%) defecate with neighbors (14.28%) in the open (66.67%) and in public latrines (19.05%). The same applies to wastewater from cooking, washing and dishwashing, which is most often dumped on the public highway (78.77%). Wastewater is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria, which is the most common disease in the area. The results of this study show that wastewater and excreta are managed by most concessions in an unhealthy way and discharged into the environment. It is important to step up public awareness campaigns on the harmful consequences of poor wastewater and excreta disposal.

Field measurements of longshore sediment transport have been performed in the surf zone along Denu Beach, located in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. This study consisted of measuring sediment transport rates by the deployment of modified versions of Kraus streamer traps on a cross-shore distance, which was about half the average surf zone width. In addition to the measured transport rates, data on waves, longshore currents, and other morphological parameters were collected with simple and low-cost instrumentation. In total, about 22 datasets were obtained through several days of data collection spanning a period of 5 months. Mathematical formulae proposed by CERC (1984), Kamphuis (1991), and the new van Rijn (2014) were used to compute theoretical transports for the entire surf zone, which were validated by measured data. Applying the CERC equation with a K-value of 0.39, the theoretical transports were about one order of magnitude higher than the measured rates. The rates computed by the Kamphuis formula were slightly higher than those yielded by the van Rijn equation. They produced values that were, on average, about 3.5 and 2.9 times higher than the measured rates, respectively. This study then confirmed the capabilities of both the Kamphuis and van Rijn equations to provide closer estimates of longshore sediment transport on Denu Beach. It especially sheds light on the new van Rijn formula, which has not been used extensively in LST quantification across the world. We, therefore, concluded that both the Kamphuis and van Rijn equations could be particularly useful to local engineers in the prediction of LST prior to the design of coastal protection structures. Further long-term studies employing available cutting-edge technologies were also recommended to provide more information on longshore transport not only in Ghana but also in the entire Gulf of Guinea and for the establishment of a reliable sediment budget for the country and the entire region.

The unprecedented development of coastal cities in West Africa is marked by anarchic urbanization accompanied by ineffective environmental management, leading to water pollution. This study is conducted in the southern districts of Lomé, Togo, an area built on sandbars where inappropriate attitudes, behaviors, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation practices prevail. The objective of this study is to characterize the quality of groundwater in the study area. Bacteriological and physicochemical analyses were carried out on 11 wells in 10 districts in the southern districts during the four seasons of the year. The analysis shows that the groundwater is polluted in all seasons. Nitrate concentrations exceed 50 mg/L in 65% of the samples, while chloride levels surpassed 250 mg/L in 18% of the cases. Regardless of the season, the dominant facies is sodium chloride and potassium chloride. In all districts, the analysis of microbiological parameters including total germs (30 °C, 100/mL), total coliforms (30 °C, 0/mL), Escherichia coli (44 °C, 2/250 mL), fecal streptococci (0/100 mL), and anaerobic sulfite reducers (44 °C, 2/20 mL) reveals values exceeding the European Union standards (2007). Groundwater contamination is facilitated by the sandy nature of the soil, which increases its vulnerability to various pollutants. Togo continues to experience cholera outbreaks, aggravated by poor sanitation infrastructure and limited vaccination coverage. Public health efforts are directed toward improving sanitation and raising awareness about waterborne and non-communicable diseases.

The overconsumption of plastic packaging has alarming repercussions on the environment, notably through waste accumulation in public spaces and clogged drains. This study identifies factors driving plastic proliferation, analyzes their impacts, and proposes strategies for sustainable waste management. A cross-sectional design combined document review, field observations, and interviews with 156 households and 24 informants. Descriptive statistics characterized consumption patterns and service access. Impacts were assessed through litter hotspots, blocked drains, flood-prone points, and reported health risks. Households used five to six plastic bags daily, while collection coverage remained below 50%, sustaining persistent leakage. Findings reveal excessive reliance on plastics, shaped by technical, social, and institutional gaps, including weak segregation and limited pre-collection. Agoè-Nyivé 4, a fast-growing peri-urban commune within Greater Lomé, faces limited services but high consumption, making it a relevant case for rapidly growing municipalities. Yet the population often adopts counterproductive practices, hampering responsible waste management. A policy mix is outlined: expanding pre-collection and door-to-door services, integrating informal collectors, and targeted community sensitization. Without urgent interventions, plastic leakage will intensify environmental degradation, flooding, and health risks. The study recommends integrated policy measures to curb single-use dependence and foster a local circular economy.

Urban governance and sanitation in the peri-urban commune of Agoè-Nyvé 6 in Togo: Diagnosis of the sanitation system in Adétikopé.