Kenya is categorized as a water scarce country with renewable per capita freshwater below the UN recommended minimum of 1000m³. The growing population increases the demand of water for domestic use, food security and industrial development. In addition, surface and ground water resources in Kenya are increasingly becoming polluted (KEWI, 2021). There is therefore need to conserve the available water from further pollution. Protection of the available sources is vital in achieving this and hence the need to ensure the efficiency of waste water treatment systems, septic tanks included.

Most developing countries lack the technology and economic power to construct and operate sewerage systems for the conveyance of domestic wastewater to central sewage treatment facilities. The septic tank is the most widely used onsite treatment for domestic wastewater. However, the system is often overlooked yet it performs such an important role in preventing pollution to surface and underground water sources by improperly treated effluent. Therefore, there is a need for close monitoring of its performance and necessary adjustments and maintenance to be made in time.