Ecosan toilet designs
Q: I read in Source Bulletin issue No. 47, Feb 2007 that “Siddhipur residents are also building ecosan toilets that collect faeces and urine separately and starting to recycle them as organic fertilizer”. I would like to know how this type of toilet is constructed so that we can replicate it here. Is it the same with VIP latrine which UNICEF taught us how to construct?
(Executive director of an international NGO,
Answer: Thank you for your request for information on ecosan toilet designs.
Ecosan toilets are not the same as VIP latrines. They do not require a deep pit like VIP latrines because urine is diverted allowing faeces to compost faster.
Ecosan toilets are especially suited for regions where water is scarce or where deep pits cannot be constructed because of high groundwater table, impermeable soil conditions or hard rock. They are also suitable for rural and peri-urban areas where urine and faeces can used as fertilizer. Ecosan toilets are more expensive than VIP latrines because the design includes two compartments to keep urine and faeces separate, and special seats are needed for children. They also require more training and awareness raising inputs for proper and safe operation and maintenance.
An intermediate solution in between a VIP latrine and ecosan toilet is to collect urine in a bucket (for women and children) and through a funnel in a jar or jerry can (for men) (see http://washhelpdesk.blogspot.com/search/label/latrines).
- Morgan, P. (2007). Toilets that make compost : low-cost, sanitary toilets that produce valuable compost for crops in an African context.
- Wafler, M. … [et al.] (2005). Ecological sanitation modules for agricultural reuse implemented by the Innovative Ecological Sanitation Network India (IESNI).
You can further find extensive information on ecosan on these websites:
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