Ecological(sanitation(latrine( management(tool(

Transcription

1 Ecological(sanitation(latrine( management(tool( Scottish(Government(Funded(Grant(Number(MW22((2013( ( 2016)(

2 Table of Contents 1. WhatareEcologicalSanitation(Ecosan)latrines? Skyloo Advantagesofskyloo DisadvantagesofSkyloo UseandManagement Cleaning Howtoharvestanduseurine? Factsfindingsabouturineapplication Examplesofcroptrialsusingurineasafertilizer Rape Spinach Maize Effectofurinetreatmentontrees HowtoUseToiletCompostintheGarden? Spinach Lettuce Growingtreesintoiletcompost Handwashingfacilities MenstrualHygieneFacility MismanagementofEcosan...21 Bibliography...23 Note: images have been taken from the Water Aid in Nepal 2011, Technical handbook - Construction of ecological sanitation latrine. This manual is meant as a manual for use by the health promoting school within the SCHI.

3 List of figures Figure1:Ecosancloseloop...4 Figure2:Beakersofrapeinthemiddletreatedwithurine...7 Figure3:Rapeyieldontherightenhancedwithurine...7 Figure4:Beakersofspeakersontheleftwereenhancedwithurine...8 Figure5:Spinachyieldontheleftenhancedwithurine...8 Figure 7: Maize crop on the right enhanced with urine...9 Figure6:Healthyonioncropyield...9 Figure8:Makingasmallhole...10 Figure9:Measuringtheurinetobeapplied...10 Figure10:Applyingurinetoayoungmaizeplant...11 Figure11:Applyingurinetoanoldmaizeplant.12 Figure12:Applyingurinebeforeplantingseeds...11 Figure13:Maizecropyieldofdifferenturineapplicationrates...12 Figure14:Urinedirectdivertinglatrine..13 Figure15:Urineapplicationthroughaholemadeinabeaker...13 Figure16:Applyingurinefirst.14 Figure17:Applyingwaterafterurine...13 Figure18:Urinemixtoescapeslowlyintotheground 15 Figure19:insideofthebucket...14 Figure20:Sandylikecompost...16 Figure21:Humuslikecompost...15 Figure22:Spinachcropyieldontherightenhancedwithpitcompost...15 Figure 23: Bucket on the right has soil enhanced with compost...16 Figure24:Theharvestontherightwasgrowninsoilwithcompost...16 Figure25:Tomatoseedlings...17 Figure26:Ahealthycropoftomato...18 Figure27:Tomatoplants...19 Figure28:GrowingcropofyoungTomatoes...18 Figure29:Diggingatreepit..20 Figure30:Compostmanureharvest...19 Figure31:Fillingthetreepitwithcompost..20 Figure32:Bricksputaroundthetreepit...19 Figure33:Plantgrowing...21 Figure34:Seedlingputonthehole...20 Figure35:LocalmultiZsectionhandwashingfacility...20 Figure36:Localonesectionedhandwashingfacility...21 Figure37:Presenceoflarvae...23 Figure38:Productionofbadsmells...22

4 1. What(are(Ecological(Sanitation((Ecosan)(latrines?( Ecosan is an environmentally friendly sanitation technology that allows economic use of human excreta (urine and faeces) after decomposition. Decomposed human excreta contain nutrients suitable for agriculture such as nitrogen, urea, and potassium and phosphorous as value added (Ministry of irrigation and Water Development 2011). The basic principle of ECOSAN is to close the loop between sanitation and agriculture without compromising health and is based on the following three fundamental principles: 1. Preventing pollution rather than attempting to control it after we pollute 2. Sanitizing the urine and faeces 3. Using the safe products for agricultural purposes Figure(1:(Ecosan(close(loop Ecosan systems restore a remarkable natural balance between the quantity of nutrients excreted by one person in one year and that required to produce their food (7.5 kg nitrate, phosphorous and potassium to produce 250 kg of grain) and therefore can greatly help in saving limited resources(water Aid in Nepal (2011). There are different types of Ecosan latrines. These include: Skyloo, Fossa Alterna and Aborloo.

5 2. Skyloo( Skyloo is built above the ground with double vault for collection of excreta once decomposed within 6-12 months. A concrete slab is installed on top of each vault with urine diversion drop hole or pedestal. Other air tight covers made to fit on the rear of the vaults for easy removal of the compost Advantages(of(skyloo( It is durable It is suitable for flood prone areas or have implemented and high ground water table. It controls smell and flies It produces compost for agriculture purposes It is permanent because of use of alternating vaults It controls pollution of ground water It has no risk of collapsing It is ideal for crowded settlements 2.2. Disadvantages(of(Skyloo( The climbing of steps make it unfriendly for use by the elderly and physically challenge people failure to put required additives (ash and soil) can cause a health hazard It is relatively expensive Emptying of the pits is often not pleasant for some house holds 2.3. Use(and(Management( Since faeces will be used to make compost it is essential that soil and ash are added after every visit to the latrine. The addition of lime or ash helps to dry faeces and raise the ph, which can kill off bacteria within a few months. Faeces, once dried, may be returned to soil or composted with organic household refuse if there is some concern that bacteria still exist. If it is suspected that bacteria survive the desiccation/ph phase, they can be killed within days at temperatures above 50 C. Of course, over time bacteria will die if kept out of water and left undisturbed by weather or animals (Water Aid in Nepal 2011). Mixture of materials which mix and compost are: faeces, paper, soil and wood ash. It is wise to pre mix the soil and the ash when these materials are in the dry state at a ratio of 2 parts to 1part. The ash and soil can be applied using a small cup or homemade dispenser.

6 2.4. Cleaning( Warning: do not put water in Ecosan latrine faecal drop hole. It is possible to manage urine, faeces or excreta with little or no water, and it is also possible to keep the end-product out of ground and surface waters. Even though water is not supposed to be disposed in Ecosan latrines it can be kept as hygienic as possible by using the following ways: Sweep the room first with a dry broom Mop the room using a moist mop In case there is faecal matter around the drop hole spread some ash or soil and sweep off How(to(harvest(and(use(urine?( Pathogens are treated close to the point of excretion. Nearly all bacteria in excreta are found in faeces, while urine is sterile with few exceptions. Urine can be harvested using plastic containers or bottles of different sizes ( litres). Once collected the urine can either: 1. be used directly in the garden 2. stored in an open dug bed so that urine sinks into the ground and some evaporates 3. Or stored on site for later collection either as liquid fertilizer or further processed into a dry powder fertilizer Facts(findings(about(urine(application( Human urine can act as effectively as chemical fertilizer. It is a valuable supply of nitrogen and also phosphorus and potassium in smaller quantities. It is particularly useful when used to enhance the growth of green vegetables, onions and maize. It can also considerably enhance the growth of fruit trees like banana and mulberry. 1. Urine should be applied preferably in three stages at different crop growth stage a. Before planting b days c days 2. Urine can be applied in 2 stages for short duration crop like potato 3. Urine should be supplemented with compost 4. Urine dosage depends on the type of crop 5. Recommended Urine Dosage a. Heavy feeder crop (Maize, trees etc) /infertile soil: 1500 lit. b. Low feeder crops (vegetables, potatoes etc) /fertile soil: 750 lit. 6. Urine can be collected in bottles or from urine-diverting toilets.

7 2.7. Examples(of(crop(trials(using(urine(as(a(fertilizer( (Rape( Figure(2:(Beakers(of(rape(in(the(middle(treated(with(urine( The upper three basins of rape were fed 0.5 litres of a 3:1water and urine mix, twice a week while the lower three basins received only water. The effect became noticeable after 10 days treatment and after28 days of water and urine application the effect was very noticeable. Overall, rape yield was increased about 5 times by urine treatment. Figure(3:(Rape(yield(on(the(right(enhanced(with(urine(

8 2.7.2.(Spinach( The two columns of basins of spinach on the left were fed 0.5litres of a 3:1 water and urine mix twice a week while the two columns of basins on the right were fed only water. The effective of the urine treatment is very positive and very clear to see. Figure(4:(Beakers(of(speakers(on(the(left(were(enhanced(with(urine Overall, the spinach plants fed with diluted urine weighed 3.4 times more than spinach fed with only water. Figure(5:(Spinach(yield(on(the(left(enhanced(with(urine( (

9 2.7.3.(Onion Figure(6:(Healthy(onion(crop(yield Some very good looking onions can be grown in cement basins with the help of a water and urine feed. Onion seeds are best planted early in the year, late January or February being good times, so they can be transplanted into containers towards the end of the rains in April. This healthy onion below was harvested in early September after six months of water and urine treatment in a 10 litre cement basin. An amount of 0.5 litres of a 5:1 mix of water to urine was applied once a week during the six-month period together with intermediate watering. Such a result reveals the usefulness of urine as a plant food (Maize( Urine can have a significant effect on maize growth. In the fields urine can be applied straight to soil before planting in beds. It can also be applied straight in hollows made near the growing plant. Maize is rarely if ever grown in containers, but the effect of the growth of maize in containers when fed urine is stunning and well suited for demonstration. Maize plants are hungry feeders and like a lot of nitrogen. The application of a 3:1 mix of water and urine, once or twice or even three times a week on maize grown in 10 litre containers is particularly effective. Picture below shows the striking difference between maize plants fed with a3:1 mix of water and urine (0.5 litres) three times per week and maize irrigated with water only. Urine treatment also improves maize cob yield significantly. Figure 7: Maize crop on the right enhanced with urine

10 Before applying urine to a maize plant, a small hole should be dug near to the plant. After applying the 125ml of urine in the small hole next to the plant, it is best to cover over with soil after application to slow down nitrogen loss. The total amount of urine added to each plant was 1000ml eight doses of 125ml. After the initial dose, a dose was given weekly for five weeks followed by a dose every other week for the final two doses. Figure(8:(Making(a(small(hole Figure(9:(Measuring(the(urine(to(be(applied(

11 Figure(10:(Applying(urine(to(a(young(maize(plant( Figure(11:(Applying(urine(to(an(old(maize(plant(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(12:(Applying(urine(before(planting(seeds(( The 1000ml of urine is equivalent to around 5 grams nitrogen, about the same as the dose used with commercial fertilizers. After just over two months of growth, the first signs of the maize tassel and cob appear. After two-and-a-half months, the growth of maize has been good and cobs are already forming. By comparison, maize planted at the same time but not treated with urine shows smaller and paler plants with little cob formation. Overall, the application of 1 litre of urine per plant doubled the grain yield of maize growing on poor sandy soil compared to unfed plants.

12 The total yield of cobs from maize planted in three 10 litre basins was dramatically different depending on how much diluted urine was used on the crop. Maize fed with 1750ml of urine per plant over the 3.5 month growing period resulted in a crop of 954 grams compared with 406 grams for maize fed with 750ml of urine per plant, and only 63 grams for the maize irrigated with water only. These rates of urine application are quite high, but are happily accepted by the maize plants in the containers, which were irrigated frequently with water to keep the maize plants healthy. For small scale maize or sweet corn production, this method may have an application. It is also a useful way of demonstrating the effect of converting the nutrients held in urine into vegetative growth of valuable plants. Figure(13:(Maize(crop(yield(of(different(urine(application(rates (Effect(of(urine(treatment(on(trees( Once established many trees can gain great benefit from the regular addition of the nitrogen and other nutrients in urine. Trees like banana, mulberry, mango and avocado are good examples. The addition of wood ash also helps to provide extra potassium which fruit trees need. The trees can also be fed with compost, manure or other fertilizers as they grow and require extra feeding. Urine can be applied to trees directly from a urine-diverting toilet or slowly through a hole in a bucket. Alternatively a hole can be dug next to the tree for water and urine application.

13 Figure(14:(Urine(direct(diverting(latrine((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(15:(Urine(application(through(a(hole(made(in(a(beaker( In this case2 litres of urine is added first, followed by 10litres of water. The technique works well on banana plants. Figure(16:(Applying(urine(first((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(17:(Applying(water(after(urine( 2 litres of urine mixed with 10 litres water, twice per week. The bucket was fitted with a small pipe near the base to allow the water and urine mix to escape slowly into the ground.

14 Figure(18:(Urine(mix(to(escape(slowly(into(the(ground(((((((((((((((Figure(19:(inside(of(the(bucket( This can also be achieved by drilling a small hole in the base of the bucket. Phosphate sediment will be leftover in the bucket and this is poured on the soil after the bucket is empty. 2.8(How(to(Use(Toilet(Compost(in(the(Garden?( When the recommended decomposition period has been reached the manure is ready for harvest. In skyloo the rear cover of the vault is removed and a shovel is used to remove the compost to the storage space which can either be bags or in heaps. Then the cover is put back and sealed properly. Toilet compost varies a great deal in texture and colour depending on the amount and type of soil added. Where sandy soil has been added, the toilet compost is sandy and almost humusfree. Some dried out fly cocoons have been separated-off, proof that this material was once excreta. Where fertile soil and leaves have been added, the toilet compost is much more humus-like. When fully composted, toilet compost is pleasant to handle and safe to use.

15 Figure(20:(Sandy(like(compost((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(21:(Humus(like(compost (Spinach( A test crop of spinach grown on poor soil was compared to spinach grown in the same poor soil mixed with an equal volume of pit compost. After 30days of growth, the harvest was increased 7 times for the enhanced soil. The bucket on the right has soil enhanced volume of pit compost. After 30 days of growth, the harvest was increased4 times. Figure(22:(Spinach(crop(yield(on(the(right(enhanced(with(pit(compost

16 2.8.2.(Lettuce( For the lettuce growth test in poor and enhanced soil, after 30 days of growth the harvest was increased 7 times. The onion growth test in poor and enhanced soil produced similar results, with a harvest increase of nearly 3 times after four months of growth. In all of these examples, the use of urine would have enhanced the production further. Figure 23: Bucket on the right has soil enhanced with compost Figure24:Theharvestontherightwasgrowninsoilwithcompost

17 If the local diet includes tomatoes, then if this compost is placed in a container and watered young tomato plants will spontaneously grow. Figure(25:(Tomato(seedlings These may germinate in considerable numbers, but if most of the young plants are removed leaving the strongest two, the tomatoes will grow strongly using the nutrients contained in the bucket. Extra nutrients like diluted urine can be applied if necessary. The result of growing tomato plants in the urine-diverting toilet compost will be a healthy crop of tomatoes.

18 Figure(26:(A(healthy(crop(of(tomato Figure(27:(Tomato((plants((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(28:Growing(crop(of(young(Tomatoes(

19 2.8.3.(Growing(trees(in(toilet(compost( It is also possible to plant trees in toilet compost which has been excavated from a compost toilet pit and transferred to a hole dug specifically for a tree. The tree pit dug was 60cm X 60cm and 60cm deep. Toilet compost was dug out and the tree pit was filled with the toilet compost to ground level. Bricks were laid around the tree pit and the pit filled again with good topsoil. A hole was dug in the middle and topsoil added to the base of the hole. A young mulberry tree was planted in the hole and the soil leveled. Leaf mulch was then added and the tree watered. After four months, the mulberry tree showed excellent growth and was in good health. As the tree grew extra mulch and compost was added. Manure and other fertilizers can also be dug into the soil as the tree grows and requires extra feeding. Figure(29:(Digging(a(tree(pit((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(30:(Compost(manure(harvest Figure(31:(Filling(the(tree(pit(with(compost((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(32:(Bricks(put(around(the(tree(pit

20 Figure(33:(Plant(growing((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(34:(Seedling(put(on(the(hole( 2.9.(Hand(washing(facilities( Hand washing facilities are vital if any hygienic value can be expected out of a toilet system. Hand washing is perhaps the most vital part of the process of improving personal hygiene. In fact hand washing is essential if an improved state of health is to be achieved in relation to toilet use. All eco-toilets (and any other toilet) should be fitted with a simple hand washing device as a matter f priority. Number of required hand washing facilities depends on the number of users. Below is one of the hand washing facilities options; Figure(35:(Local(multiVsection(hand(washing(facility

21 Figure(36:(Local(one(sectioned(hand(washing(facility 2.10.(Menstrual(Hygiene(Facility( It is important for girl Ecosan Latrine to have a separate menstrual Hygiene facility if possible. This is so because: It helps eliminate possibility of sanitary pads and other materials in the manure Gives enough privacy to users during their menses Water and soap should always be available in the MHF and soap should always be available. The room should always be cleaned and accessible. Girls can use the room to: Change their sanitary materials Wash themselves Wash their sanitary materials 2.11.(Mismanagement(of(Ecosan( If Ecosan latrines are poorly managed flies and odour erupts. It is therefore necessary that ash and soil are always put. And also water entry should be prevented.

22 Below are images of poorly managed Ecosan latrines: Figure(37:(Presence(of(larvae(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Figure(38:(Production(of(bad(smells(

23 Bibliography( 1. Ministry of irrigation and Water Development 2011, 1 st ed-low cost Latrine Technologies. 2. Water Aid in Nepal 2011, Technical handbook - Construction of ecological sanitation latrine.