Finally a dignified eco-toilet
Household toilets were always primitive but among the poor they were also dangerous – Logs across a deep hole with minimal privacy. It was simply not something they would spend scarce money on. People feared to use it at night or let children go alone for fear of falling in.
We worked on a design for three years, searching for proper materials, incorporating urine saving system for fertilizer and always trying to reduce cost. When we were finally satisfied, we obtained a Rotary grant for $7,000USD and built 45 toilets.
Stone and cement form the foundation around the 4-5 meter hole. Lumber is painted with old motor oil to repel termites. A tough plastic floor pan separates feces from the urine which is captured in a jerrycan below the surface. Urine holds 85% of the nutrients in human waste and can be diluted and applied directly to vegetable gardens for families too poor to buy fertilizer.
From a container of dried grass and soil the user dumps a scoop into the hole where the solids dry and are turned into clean-smelling compost year by year. The roof diverts rain water into a hand-washing station. The toilet provides privacy, hygiene, fertilizer and longevity. Our recent five-year survey found all 47 toilets standing strong with need of minimal repair. One household had filled the hole and with help of neighbors had lifted the whole toilet to a new hole. These toilets serve as a model for enterprising builders to gradually replace the primitive model throughout the community.