Conventional waste water systems and Pit Latrines

Conventional waste water systems ask for much water, a costly infrastructure and are high maintenance. As in many developing countries water and money are scarce. Therefore sewerage is often lacking and not functioning. Collected sewage is rarely treated. The wastewater is polluting the direct environment of towns and schools and can be a source of disease carrying organisms which endangers the lives of children. Finally, as human excreta contains useful nutrients that can be used as fertilizer wastes natural resources and nutrients and ignores that human excreta is a valuable resource. Also schools have limited resources and a sewer system is not a feasible option.

Pit Latrines are rarely a good alternative, especially in places with high population density. Excreta, urine and water are mixed, the content from pit latrines can therefore seep easily into the underground water supply system. The danger of leaking pit latrines is even worse in times of rain, flooding and high groundwater level. This means contamination of the drinking water, spreading diseases and pollution of the school surroundings. Moreover, just as ‘conventional sewerage’, pit latrines deprive agriculture, and consequently food production, of the valuable nutrients contained in human excrement.