Challenges with up-scaling dry sanitation technologies

Bhagwan, Jay; Still, D. A.; Buckley, C.A.; Foxon, K. M.

doi:10.2166/wst.2008.606

Cited by 32 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Pits should be dug as deep as possible withinthe constraints of the high water table but not more than a man’s height considering worker’s safety. As the manual emptier must enter into the pit, health risks increase when pits are deeper than 1.5 m, [28, 29], where low oxygen and toxic gases such as ammonia and methane may be present. In addition, glass and metal pieces in the sludge can cause cuts [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advantages and limitations for users of double pit pour-flush latrines: a qualitative study in rural Bangladesh

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundIn rural Bangladesh, India and elsewhere, pour-flush pit latrines are the most common sanitation system. When a single pit latrine becomes full, users must empty it themselves and risk exposure to fresh feces, pay an emptying service to remove pit contents or build a new latrine. Double pit pour-flush latrines may serve as a long-term sanitation option including high water table areas because the pits do not need to be emptied immediately and the excreta decomposes into reusable soil.MethodsDouble pit pour-flush latrines were implemented in rural Bangladesh for ‘hardcore poor’ households by a national NGO, BRAC. We conducted interviews, focus groups, and spot checks in two low-income, rural areas of Bangladesh to explore the advantages and limitations of using double pit latrines compared to single pit latrines.ResultsThe rural households accepted the double pit pour-flush latrine model and considered it feasible to use and maintain. This latrine design increased accessibility of a sanitation facility for these low-income residents and provided privacy, convenience and comfort, compared to open defecation. Although a double pit latrine is more costly and requires more space than a single pit latrine the households perceived this sanitation system to save resources, because households did not need to hire service workers to empty pits or remove decomposed contents themselves. In addition, the excreta decomposition process produced a reusable soil product that some households used in homestead gardening. The durability of the latrine superstructures was a problem, as most of the bamboo-pole superstructure broke after 6–18 months of use.ConclusionsDouble pit pour-flush latrines are a long-term improved sanitation option that offers users several important advantages over single pit pour-flush latrines like in rural Bangladesh which can also be used in areas with high water table. Further research can provide an understanding of the comparative health impacts and effectiveness of the model in preventing human excreta from entering the environment.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advantages and limitations for users of double pit pour-flush latrines: a qualitative study in rural Bangladesh

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…11). The optimal pH for biological activity is between 6.5 and 8, as anaerobic microorganisms, especially methanogens, exhibit a characteristic sensitivity to the extremes of pH (Bhagwan et al, 2008) (Anderson et al, 2003. Faecal pH is neutral with a median value of pH 6.64 and a range of pH 5.3−7.5 (Rose et al, 2015), while urine has a pH of 9.0-9.3 due to urea dissociation by bacterial enzymes after secretion (Jonsson and Vinneras, 2007).…”

Section: Phmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical and thermal properties of VIP latrine sludge

Zuma¹,

Velkushanova²,

Buckley³

2015

WSA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigated the chemical and thermal properties of faecal sludge from 10 dry VIP latrines in Bester's Camp in the eThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa. Faecal sludge samples were selected at different depths and from the front and back sections of 10 VIP latrines during a manual emptying process. The samples were analysed for: moisture content; volatile solids; chemical oxygen demand; ammonia; total Kjeldahl nitrogen; pH; orthophosphate; thermal conductivity; calorific value and heat capacity. These properties will facilitate the design of faecal sludge emptying and treatment equipment. A manual sorting of the pit contents was carried out to determine the categories and amounts of household waste present. There was a significant difference in the moisture, volatile solids, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and orthophosphate content of the faecal sludge between the front and back sections of the pit. There was minimal change in the thermal properties within the pit. The median values through the pit of each property analysed were: moisture content -0.81 g water/g wet mass; volatile solids -1.5 g VS/g ash; COD -1.7 g COD/g ash; ammonia nitrogen -10 mg NH 3 -N/g dry mass; TKN -39 mg N/g dry mass; pH -8.03; orthophosphate -0.06 mg PO 4 /g dry mass; thermal conductivity -0.55 W/m K; calorific value -14 kJ/g dry mass; heat capacity -2.4x10 3 kJ/kg K. On average, 87% of pit content is faecal sludge; the remainder consists of wastes such as paper, plastics and textiles.

show abstract

“…By the time the eThekwini Municipality changed its policy to offer only UDDTs, more than 45 000 VIPs were in existence in the municipality. A serious concern was that pit latrines ceased to provide a sanitation solution when the pits were full, and this was occurring more rapidly than expected (Bhagwan et al, 2008). Emptying is undertaken by the municipality, at no cost to the users.…”

Section: Sanitation Projects In the Ethekwini Municipalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple criteria decision analysis for sanitation selection in South African municipalities

Salisbury

Brouckaert

Still³

et al. 2018

WSA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was developed for the selection of sanitation systems. This decision support system was aimed at assisting municipal engineers to design and implement sustainable solutions to meet a municipality's obligation to provide free basic sanitation (FBS). Multi-attribute value theory (MAVT) was selected as the method most suited to the problem under consideration. Criteria which determine the sustainability of sanitation were selected from the literature and a spreadsheet-based MCDA with stakeholder and expert user interfaces was developed. Stakeholders determine the weighting of each indicator and expert users determine the values to be entered for the alternatives against each indicator. The partial values are aggregated using a weighted sum function. Research carried out into the implementation of FBS by the eThekwini Municipality that includes the city of Durban was analysed. This informed the allocation of indicator values to the sanitation alternatives under consideration: ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs) and urine diversion dehydrating toilets (UDDTs). An innovative scenario analysis method was used to determine the effect of different weightings and/or values, representing changes in stakeholder involvement, resource recovery and political support for ecological sanitation. The MCDA was found to provide a guiding framework for municipal engineers in their efforts to implement sustainable sanitation. The process of deriving values for the MCDA is likely to prove even more useful than the overall value scores of the options under consideration.

show abstract

Challenges with up-scaling dry sanitation technologies

Cited by 32 publications

References 0 publications

Advantages and limitations for users of double pit pour-flush latrines: a qualitative study in rural Bangladesh

Advantages and limitations for users of double pit pour-flush latrines: a qualitative study in rural Bangladesh

Chemical and thermal properties of VIP latrine sludge

Multiple criteria decision analysis for sanitation selection in South African municipalities

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About