A brief tour of my home & garden laboratory

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Myles Cole
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1 A brief tour of my home & garden laboratory Peter Morgan 2015

2 Introduction Over many decades I have used my garden and home as a testing ground, for many new Health Technologies related to water, hygiene and sanitation. I call it my Garden and Home Laboratory. The garden is quite large and wild, and lends itself well to all sorts of developments, which if successful or at least promising, can then be transferred and further tested in a nearby settlement. The per-urban settlement I have used for decades is the Epworth close to Harare. It is close to town but has many of the characteristics of the rural areas. My own involvement in the WASH sector started in the 1972/73 period, when I first came to live in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). I came to work at the Blair Research Laboratory, the research department of the Ministry of Health. At first my seniors told me to study the snails that transmit Schistosomiasis (bilharzia). But on the advice of Dr Dyson Blair (the laboratory was named after him), I was persuaded to changes course to look at Health Technology. Dyson Blair had been Secretary for Health and had a particular interest on the transmission of Bilharzia. He felt that by improving sanitation and water supplies in the rural areas, the rural folk would be less inclined to contact water bodies infected with Bilharzia snails. It was at this stage that I became more of a plumber, than a biologist!! Early developments were a tipping pan water seal toilet, I called the Watergate, and after this, a ventilated pit toilet I called the Blair Privy (1973) which became known as the Blair VIP in Zimbabwe, or internationally as the VIP. I named this after Dyson Blair. This was developed and tested at the Henderson Research Station north of Harare. The MOH accepted it as their preferred technology for use in the rural areas in The period between 1975 and 1980 was dominated by the liberation war, but other developments were achieved during that period, such as the simple shallow well hand pump I called the Blair Pump ( also named after Dyson Blair). This was conceived in Madziwa during outreach service. Sand filtration techniques, simple windmills, and the spiral tube waterwheel pump, my favourite, were also developed at Henderson during that period. My family moved to our new home in Marlborough in 1977 and we have lived there ever since. It became my new home and garden laboratory. The first testing of the spiral tube water wheel pump were undertake there, and other models of the Blair Pump. Early tests of the Bucket Pump now known as the Bailer bucket were also undertaken in the early years after 1980 (Independence in Zimbabwe). Many variants of Health Technology had were first developed in Marlborough. These include the B Type Bush Pump which became the national standard in The C type Bush Pump a simpler version. A hand washing device known as the Mukombe was first conceived by Dr Jim Watt of the Salvation Army in Chiweshe. I had seen it in the late 1970 s and been most impressed. In the early 1980 s I built a fibreglass replica, using idealised shapes and sizes, since natural plants in the field (which were initially used by Jim Watt) rarely had the best shapes. Later this was mass produced. Various other hand washing devices were developed. The work on improved wells took place mostly in Epworth, but the concept of upgrading a series of upgradable family wells started in Marlborough. The concept of the upgradeable Blair VIP was first researched in Marlborough, with its corbelled brick lined pit. Then the work was transferred to Epworth. The Marlborough Laboratory was also used to develop many aspects of Ecological Sanitation not only toilet designs like the Arborloo, Fossa alterna and Skyloo, (a urine diverting toilet), but also many plant trials on vegetables and trees using toilet compost and diluted urine as nutrient sources. Several rain water harvesting methods have also been built and tested at Marlborough together with water storage tanks. A simple hand drilling rig for drilling shallow tube-wells in softer formations has also been designed and constructed in Marlborough and tested in Epworth. A section of the garden was set aside to train people how to examine the National B type Bush Pump. Trials in Epworth and Marlborough have started testing a PVC rising main pipe (rather than steel) together with an improved mild steel rod system as part of the B type Bush Pump development programme. This work uses an open top cylinder concept which makes possible the exchange of piston seals without lifting pipes. This work continues. Frequent measurements are being made of the local water table and comparing this with rainfall. All our water is either pumped from the ground or collected from rainwater harvesters. On the home front modifications have been made to our flush toilets in the house to make them more economical and efficient in terms of water use. Novel shower units have also been developed to use water economically and wisely, frequently heated by the sun. This technique makes possible the concept of aromatherapy, buy adding special oils to the heated water prior to the shower with resulting health benefits. This article briefly describes some of the more obvious developments I have forgotten some and no doubt more will come. Peter Morgan Harare, April

The photos I am putting together a series of photos with a brief

less water more efficiently. Water efficient bathroom.

The shower unit is simply made from a bucket and pipe fittings and

The water can be heated by the sun, gas or electricity.

into a bucket which is then carried into the bathroom and placed in

3 The photos I am putting together a series of photos with a brief caption beneath, to try to provide the type of developments which have taken place in Marlborough. In the home Two flush toilets which have been modified so they use less water more efficiently. Water efficient bathroom. Indoor Mukombe, a great hand washer with water economy. The shower unit is simply made from a bucket and pipe fittings and can hold about 9 litres of water. The water can be heated by the sun, gas or electricity. Centre picture a solar water heating bag which heats 9li water perfectly in the sun. When the water is hot enough, the heated water in the bag is piped into a bucket which is then carried into the bathroom and placed in the shower unit which is hung up in the shower cubicle. An interesting use of this simple device is that aromatherapy oils can be added to the hot water before showing, providing various health benefits. Lavender and Jasmine are favourites. 3

In the garden The demonstration include a variety of

Blair VIPs are also used as bathrooms so they have a

To test the venting effect (the vent draws out odours

The skyloo is an above the ground urine diverting

It uses a specialised pedestal which separates faeces

Urine passes to the front and faeces to the rear.

4 In the garden The demonstration include a variety of toilets, wells, pumps, hand washers, gardens, rainwater harvesters etc. Toilets The spiral brick Blair VIP. Interior. Blair VIPs are also used as bathrooms so they have a dual function. To test the venting effect (the vent draws out odours and traps flies) a small fire can be lit in the pit with grass and paper. The air current produced by the pipe draws air and the smoke produced up the pipe. None enters the toilet chamber. The skyloo is an above the ground urine diverting toilet. It uses a specialised pedestal which separates faeces from urine. Urine passes to the front and faeces to the rear. Skyloo: Faecal solids fall into the basin and soil and leaves are added. Urine passes down a pipe into a plastic container. The mix in the basin when nearly fill is transferred to a double composting pit (right). Further soil and leaves are added. The mix turns into a good compost. The composting pits are alternated. 4

VIP toilet using a door fitted with self-closing

The interior is fitted with a smart pedestal.

Toilet paper kept in container and hand washing

The structure is made from a steel frame with

Horseshoe shaped The bricks are built on edge.

The roof is made with a mix of hessian (sacking)

Fossa alterna: This toilet uses two pits

Soil and leaves are added to the pit as well as

The toilet structure, which is portable, is moved

When one pit is filling the other is composting.

provides a unit which is stable and semi (but not

Semi darkness is required for fly control.

5 VIP toilet using a door fitted with self-closing hinges. The interior is fitted with a smart pedestal. The unit is completely odourless. Toilet paper kept in container and hand washing facility outside. The structure is made from a steel frame with grass used for walling. Horseshoe shaped VIP toilet using a door fitted with self-closing hinges. The bricks are built on edge. The shape gives the structure great strength. The roof is made with a mix of hessian (sacking) and cement fitted over a wooden frame. Fossa alterna: This toilet uses two pits alternately. Soil and leaves are added to the pit as well as faeces and urine. The toilet structure, which is portable, is moved from one pit to the other at yearly intervals. When one pit is filling the other is composting. Blair toilet configurations The spiral structure provides a unit which is stable and semi (but not completely) dark inside. Semi darkness is required for fly control. On the left bricks built on edge. On the right and demonstration of a wide foundation on which the structure is built. An experiment to see if such a broad base will support a brick structure without a pit lining. A pit lining is far preferred. 5

Hand washers Garden Mukombe hanging under a tree.

A bucket acting as a reservoir of water is also required

Family well demonstrations Family wells with and without

An improved head-works a concrete apron and water

lid help to improve safety and water quality.

principle which originates in traditional practice.

Hand Pump demonstrations Blair and Bucket pumps A raised

6 Hand washers Garden Mukombe hanging under a tree. Alloy can hand washers (larger and smaller size). A bucket acting as a reservoir of water is also required for the alloy can washers. Family well demonstrations Family wells with and without a windlass. An improved head-works a concrete apron and water run-off, a raised collar on top of the well slab and a lid help to improve safety and water quality. The addition of a windlass keeps the rope or chain off the ground. The family well is an excellent example of a self-supply principle which originates in traditional practice. Simple improvements make the unit safer and more hygienic. Hand Pump demonstrations Blair and Bucket pumps A raised head works is an important part of an improved water supply. The Blair pump is a simple direct action hand pump which can lift water up to 12m. It can be hand built from parts off the shelf. Bailer- bucket principle is even simpler and raises water mainly from tube-wells. School pupils have been taught how to make bailer buckets. 6

Bush Pump design and research Bush pump on trial.

and placed on 2 years trial by the Government of

Current work involves testing the use of PVC pipe and

important method of gaining water for families.

Two using sloped gutters and one a plastic sheet

into a brick built tank partly constructed underground.

7 Bush Pump design and research Bush pump on trial. The B type was first designed in Marlborough in 1987 and placed on 2 years trial by the Government of Zimbabwe. It became the national standard in Current work involves testing the use of PVC pipe and improved mild steel rods on an open top cylinder version of the pump. On the right a place in the garden for demonstrating how to examine the bush pump. Rainwater harvesting Rain water harvesting is an important method of gaining water for families. Here three methods of harvesting water are being tried. Two using sloped gutters and one a plastic sheet collector. The plastic sheet is solar protected. It delivers quality water. In the experiment rainwater is collected and piped into a brick built tank partly constructed underground. Purer water collected from the plastic rai-catcher can also be stored in plastic containers. The water is pumped up from the tank with a simple Blair Pump. Water storage tanks These interesting tanks are built from concrete and bricks. On the left a tank with a novel domed roof reinforced with shade cloth and the bailer bucket to take water from the tank. On the right another brick and concrete tank with tap outlet and screened inlet, to collect pure water specifically from the plastic sheet rain-catcher. 7

Hand operated drilling rig The best known and successful hand

by Erwin von Elling, This is a very robust unit capable of

back yard which could also drill shallow tube-wells, but in softer

f It all starts with thinking it out, then building and testing

Then construction in the garden, in this case using off the shelf

VonderRig. Street-side welders were used to do welding.

Shallow hand drilled tube-wells are lined with PVC pipe.

For simplicity my favourite is the bailer-bucket, which is simply

Ring beam gardens Many experiments have been undertaken with ring

8 Hand operated drilling rig The best known and successful hand operated drilling rig in Zimbabwe is called the VonderRig designed by Erwin von Elling, This is a very robust unit capable of drilling through soil and even decomposing granite down to a depth of over 20m. I decided to design and make a simpler, lower cost unit in the back yard which could also drill shallow tube-wells, but in softer soils which had a water table up to about 12m deep. f It all starts with thinking it out, then building and testing prototypes. Then construction in the garden, in this case using off the shelf components (apart from the auger itself which forms part of the VonderRig. Street-side welders were used to do welding. Then testing in the field. Shallow hand drilled tube-wells are lined with PVC pipe. They can be fitted with different types of water lifting devices. For simplicity my favourite is the bailer-bucket, which is simply made and very reliable. Ring beam gardens Many experiments have been undertaken with ring beam gardens in the past. These new experimental units can be watered through piping placed under the soil. Earlier photos of ring beams with spinach, rape, covo, lettuce pumpkin and sweet potato. One ring beam cropped. A large amount of green vegetable was cropped followed by pumpkin and sweet potato 8

In earlier days at the Blair Lab and beyond Left: A younger and better

Bucket and Bush Pumps. The B type Bush pump on trial in Epworth in 1987.

Standing next to several demonstration Blair VIPs.

Centre: Ephrain Chimbunde, my Field Officer and an excellent trainer

Right: I presented Nason Mtakwa, Decade Officer for the MOH with an

More detailed accounts of all these developments have been placed on

9 In earlier days at the Blair Lab and beyond Left: A younger and better dressed man who worked for the Ministry of Health. The spiral tube water wheel Centre: With some of my team, Ephraim Chimbunde, Fambi Gono and Philimon Ndororo. Right: with my team and Mr Erwin von Elling (Mr Von) who mass produced Bucket and Bush Pumps. The B type Bush pump on trial in Epworth in The mass produced Bush Pump at a demo site. Standing next to several demonstration Blair VIPs. Left: Ministry of Health Staff around an Upgraded Family Well. Centre: Ephrain Chimbunde, my Field Officer and an excellent trainer with Philimon Ndororo, one of our 3 builders. Right: I presented Nason Mtakwa, Decade Officer for the MOH with an award of my own. More detailed accounts of all these developments have been placed on our website (aquamor.info) and also placed on a DVD. Both are still being updated. The work of 40+ years is quite well documented. There are many people who have helped me enormously over the years. They are mentioned in full on the DVD. I am particularly grateful to my wife, Linda, and our family who have supported me over all these years. Linda has had to put up with a lot of mess in her home and garden for years without complaint! Peter Morgan Harare, April

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