Introduction to Eco-San Toilets

IntroductionIntroduction toto Eco-SanEco-San ToiletsToilets

Urine solid waste

Collection chamber

Solid waste drying in a shed

What is an Eco-San Toilet? An ecological sanitation (eco-san) toilet is a type of pit latrine that has a collection chamber built underneath the squat hole. There are two squat holes; namely: one that receives urine and another that receives solid waste.

How does it Work? Urine and solid waste pass through the squat holes and are collected separately in the underground collection chamber. The solid waste is collected in a black paper bag to facilitate drying while the urine travels through a pipe into a jerry can. What Next? Once full, the chamber is emptied and the solid waste collected is dried in black plastic bags for a period of six months while the urine is sprinkled on soil under cultivation. What are the Benefits of Where Is an Eco-San Toilet Human Waste on Soil? Suitable?  Dried solid waste and urine add  Eco-san toilets are suitable for rural nutrients to make soil more fertile areas with little or no access to leading to better harvests. water. For the manure to be useful,  Urea contained in urine sprinkled on the area should be one with soil Improves Crop Resistance to available farming land where people diseases practice farming; on a small or large  Human waste sprinkled on soil scale. minimizes the growth of weeds such  Institutions that can host eco-san as” tiger weeds” toilets include: schools, children’s  Human waste used as manure has homes, public toilets near market no artificial fertilizer which may places, individual homes etc. contain dangerous toxic chemical

How do Eco-san Toilets Affect Health & Hygiene Are there Economic Benefits Conditions? to Having Eco-San Toilets?  Properly used and well maintained  Manure from Eco-San toilets saves eco-san toilets do not emit the on costs incurred on the purchase of slightest smell. fertilizer since it is freely available.  Due to the absence of bad smell,  Eco-san toilets present a possibility Eco-san toilets neither have flies nor for additional income generation insects that are usually found in through the sale of the solid waste normal VIP latrines. to local farmers.  Absence of bad odor and flies  Eco-San toilets are durable and reduces risks of disease caused by permanent; they do not require contamination. reconstruction once they get full like  The recycling of human waste pit latrines. prevents people from relieving themselves in water sources which further contaminates rivers, lakes etc.