Ecological Sanitation
What are the problems related to conventional sanitation? |
There are two types of conventional sanitation: centralised waterborne systems (collection + treatment) also called “flush and discharge” and on-site wastewater disposal systems (VIP latrines, open pit) also referred as “drop and store”.: |
Centralised waterborne conventional sanitation systems mix faeces, urine, flush water and toilet paper with grey water, storm water and industrial effluents, usually overtaxing the design capacity of the treatment plants. This type of sanitation has some inherent flaws that make it unsuitable in many parts of the world. High water consumption, the need for expensive pipe networks and treatment facilities as well the discharge of untreated wastewater into water bodies in many parts of the world are just some examples (adapted from Heeb et al., 2008). The main disadvantage of conventional sanitation systems is however their linear character, since they represent typical end-of-pipe solutions, transferring and aggravating a number of problems, instead of avoiding them in the first place. |
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Source:Flush-and-discharge system (Esrey, S. et al, 1998) |
Conventional on-site wastewater disposal systems have also their shortcomings. Very often, they lead to groundwater contamination, which gets worse with increasing population densities. In many densely populated areas this has led to nitrate concentrations in groundwater, which exceed the maximum level recommended by the WHO for drinking water and which have been linked to serious health problems, particularly for babies (adapted from Heeb et al., 2008). Shallow groundwater is still a major source of water supply in rural and peri-urban areas, especially for the poor. The design of the conventional “drop and store” pit-latrine is not compatible with this practice as it deliberately aims to retain only solid matter in the pit and infiltrate as much of the liquids as possible into the subsoil. As these liquids contain all the soluble elements of the excreta as well as viruses and pathogens, this type of sanitation, depending on the hydro-geological situation, can be a highway to groundwater contamination. There may also be topographical constraints against the construction of pit latrines, for example where the ground is rocky or on sites that are subject to flooding (Werner et al., 2004). |
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Source: Werner, Ch., Mang H.-P., Klingel, F. Bracken, P. (2004): General overview of ecosan. PowerPoint-Presentation. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH ecological sanitation programme. |
In conventional systems Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium as well as the energy contained in human excreta are "eliminated" with high technical and energy inputs in wastewater treatment plants or simply lost in latrines, discharging these valuable nutrients into the water bodies. However, in order to assure food production worldwide, artificial fertilisers are produced with a high input of non-renewable energy sources. The uncontrolled application of chemical fertilizers into agricultural land has accelerated the lost of fertility of soils and increased the salinization, when at the same time it has contributed dramatically to the contamination the receiving water bodies thanks to the ruff-off from the cultivation fields. |
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A new paradigm is needed – closing the loop based on an overall view of material flows as part of an ecologically and economically sustainable wastewater management system. Respecting local needs and customs – the ecological sanitation. |
References
-Heeb, J et al. (2008). M 2-1: Ecosan concept. M2: Ecosan - an Approach to Human Dignity, Community Health and Food Security. Ecosan curriculum 2.3 India.
-Werner, Ch. Panesar, A. Bracken, P., Mang, H.P., Huba-Mang, E. Gerold, A.M., Demsat, S., Eicher, I. (GTZ) (2004): An ecosan source book for the preparation and implementation of ecological sanitation projects. 3rd draft, February 2004. GTZ. |
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| Definition of ecological sanitation |
| What is sanitation? |
What are the problems related to conventional sanitation? |
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Scavenging is the demeaning practice of manual cleaning of human excreta from service/dry latrines. |
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Services Overview
Training Services Education on ecosan by ESF is to enable the people to develop, plan and implement eco-sanitation systems that are hygienically safe, socially acceptable, economically feasible, environmentally sound and technically appropriate.
Promotional Activities ESF partners different organizations in bringing sanitation to limelight, and thus giving true meaning to the word advocacy - “the process of managing information and knowledge strategically to change and/or influence policies and practices that affect the lives of people – particularly the disadvantaged”.
ProjectsThe concept behind ecological sanitation (ecosan) is that sanitation problems could be solved more sustainable and efficiently if the resources contained in excreta and wastewater were recovered and used rather than discharged into the water bodies and the surrounding environment.
Consulting ServicesThe Consulting unit has the mission of supporting individuals, industrial, commercial, residential, educational and governmental partners with the implementation of ecological sanitation systems to manage communal water in their premises.
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