CE 3241 Environmental Engineering II

On-site human waste management:

Technological options
What do you mean by 100% Sanitation and total sanitation?
100% sanitation
At the very least 100% sanitation will mean to include all of the following
¾ No open defecation
¾ Hygiene latrine available to all
¾ Use of hygiene latrines by all
¾ Proper maintenance of latrine for continual use
¾ Improved hygienic practice

Total sanitation
However it is to be emphasized that health impacts of sanitation are the primary reason for
sanitation improvement programme. Therefore total sanitation should also mean sanitary
condition for healthy living. Thus the term must include
¾ Hygienic latrine facilities away from the environment
¾ Proper management of solid waste
¾ Proper disposal of household waste water and storm water.

Sanitation coverage is low compared to water supply in developing

countries
Table: Global water supply and sanitation coverage, 2000

(Source ISO/ TC)

From the above table, it is seen that the sanitation coverage is lower than water supply. Which
represent that the total water supply coverage 82% and sanitation coverage60%, because
¾ Whenever designers or planners think of sanitation, they mostly think of costly
conventional sewerage systems or septic tank systems which most people in the
developing world cannot afford. It can be mentioned here that the high cost conventional
sewerage system does not provide for additional health benefits over a properly installed
low cost simple pit latrine.
¾ Different time horizons - A new water supply can be installed and completed in a matter
of weeks; both sanitation and hygiene are more complex forms of behavior change
which can require decades to achieve.
¾ Time to create demand - Demand for a water supply usually already exists in almost all
cases, and often it is difficult for an organization to meet the high levels of demand.
Demand for sanitation is hidden, weak, and needs to be created and vocalized before
systems can be designed and constructed.
¾ Different skill sets required - The water sector has been dominated by engineers who
feel comfortable with technical problems and tend to lean towards technical solutions.
Sanitation requires softer, people-based skills and takes engineers into areas where
they feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar. As a result, project staff in integrated projects
naturally prefers water supply provision and tend to neglect sanitation.
¾ It is easier to make communal provision work well for water than for sanitation.

Definition of Latrine
A latrine (from Latin lavatrina a privy) is a structure (usually small, holding a single person, and
freestanding) for defecation and urination. Latrines allow for safer and more hygienic disposal of
human waste than open defecation.

A latrine should be able to

¾ Control odor and prevent the ingress or egress of disease vectors

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¾ Prevent the release of feces and wastewater into the environment before it is safe to do
so.

A hygiene latrine would mean to include all the following

¾ Confinement of faeces away from the environment
¾ Sealing of the passage between the squat hole and the pit to effectively block the
pathway for flies and other insect vectors thereby breaking the cycle of disease
transmission.
¾ Venting out of foul gases generated in the pit through a properly positioned vent pipe to
keep the latrine odor free and encourage continual use of hygienic latrine.

Important consideration for design and construction of any latrine

¾ Accessibility;
¾ Safety;
¾ Comfort and community desires;
¾ Privacy; and
¾ Health.

General process that should be used in latrine construction

¾ Siting of latrine
¾ Excavation of pit or disposal system
¾ Laying of slab/pedestal and foundations
¾ Construction of superstructure
¾ Implementation of O&M arrangements
¾ Construction of hand washing facilities
¾ Determination of monitoring arrangements

Siting latrines

¾ not more than 50m away from dwellings to be served;

¾ at least 30m away from water-storage and treatment facilities;
¾ at least 30m away from surface water sources;
¾ at least 30m horizontal distance from shallow groundwater sources (more in coarse or
fissured ground – seek local hydro-geological knowledge where possible)
¾ downhill of settlements and water sources, where possible;
¾ at least 50m away from communal food-storage and preparation areas;
¾ close to hand washing facilities;
¾ Easily accessible to all intended users including children, old people, Pregnant women
and disabled people.

Lining requirements for different soil types

Table: Lining requirements for different soil types

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Toilet Technology

Dry System Water Reliant System

Traditional Traditional
¾ Simple Pit Latrine ¾ Overhung Latrine
¾ Ventilated Improved Pit ¾ Pour-flush Toilet (PFT)
Latrine (VIP) ƒ with Leach Pit
¾ Simple Composting Latrine ƒ with Individual Septic Tank
¾ Dehydration toilets ¾Community PFT
¾ Traditional Double-Vault ¾Offset PFT
Toilets ƒ With Single Pit
Modern ƒ With 2-chamber Septic Tank with Soak Pit
¾ Urine diversion (double- ƒ With 2-chamber Septic Tank & Evapo-
vault) toilet transpiration mound
¾ Urinals for woman ƒ With 2-chamber Septic Tank with Drainage Field
Modern
¾ Conventional Flush Toilets
¾ Waterless toilets
¾ Vacuum Toilets

Simple pit Latrines

Simple pit latrines are by far the most common technology choice adopted in emergency
situations. This is because they are simple, quick to construct and generally inexpensive. These
are almost universally acceptable in rural areas and are also widely used in low-income urban
communities, although often not appropriate.
The pit should be as deep as possible (and at least 2m in depth) and covered by a latrine
slab. The rate at which the pit will fill will depend on the sludge accumulation rate and the
infiltration rate of the soil and the required size of the pit can be estimated based on these. At
least the top 1m of the pit should be lined to prevent collapse, and where the soil is suspected to
be unstable the entire pit should be lined. There are a number of lining options that can be used
The slab can be made from concrete or wood, or a prefabricated plastic slab can be used. This
should be firmly supported on all sides and raised above the surrounding ground level to
prevent surface water entering the pit. A squat or drop-hole is provided in the slab which allows
excreta to fall directly into the pit – this can be covered with a removable lid to minimize flies and
odor.
The superstructure can be made from materials available locally, such as wood, mud and grass,
or can be a more permanent structure of bricks and mortar.

Direct pit latrine

When excreta fall directly into a pit underneath the user, it is called a direct pit latrine.

Offset pit-latrine

When excreta pass through a short pipe or a channel to a pit a few meters away, it is called an
offset pit-latrine.

Partly offset pit latrine

When part of the pit is under the shelter and part is outside, where a removable cover allows the
contents to be taken out it is called partly offset pit latrine.

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Figure: Simple pit Latrine

General design considerations for pit latrines

¾ The pit should be as large as possible. However, it should not be more than 1.5 m wide,
otherwise construction of the cover slab will be more expensive.
¾ Soils with low permeability (below 2.5 mm/hour) are unsuitable for pit latrines as the
liquid portion of excreta is unable to infiltrate into the soil.
¾ Pits in unstable soils must be fully lined, otherwise there is risk that the pit will collapse
and the superstructure may fall into it. A wide variety of materials can be used to line the
pit; for example, concrete rings, bricks, and cement-stabilized soil blocks, masonry,
perforated oil drums, etc. The pit can also be strengthened against collapse by putting a
ring beam around the upper part.
¾ Safe distance between the latrine and a source of drinking water e.g., tubewell, should
be provided in order to allow for sufficient residence time fill the pathogens to be
eliminated. In absence of information on groundwater flow in horizontal direction, a
distance of at least 10.0 m should be provided.

Pit latrine design

Effective Pit Volume: The effective pit volume depends on the solids accumulation rate, the
number of users and the desired life of pit. The effective volume can be calculated as:

V=CxPxN
Where,
V = Effective volume of the pit in m3
C = Solids accumulation rate in m3/person/year
P = Number of person who will be using the latrine
N = Design life in years.

The total pit size for a pit latrine not exceeding 4.0 m in depth can be determined, as suggested
by Kalbermatten et al. (1980), by the following relationship
v = 1.33 x ex P x N
The factor of 1.33 is incorporated to ensure a clear space above the remains of the excreta at
the end of the design period. The factor will allow 75% of the pit to be full at the end of this
period.

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Solids accumulation rate, C:

Excreta deposited into the pit have two essential components:

¾ liquid fraction of excreta (mainly urine), together with small amount of water that enters
the pit due to anal cleansing and slab washing which ultimately infiltrates into the
surrounding soil.
¾ The faecal solids in excreta that are digested anaerobically to produce (i) gases such as
methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide which are exhausted from the pit via
the squat hole or the vent pipe; and (ii) soluble compounds which are either further
oxidized in the pit or are carried into the surrounding soil by infiltrating of the liquid
fraction.
In dry pits (not extended below the groundwater table), solids accumulation rates vary between
0.03 and 0.06 m3/person/year, and in wet pits between 0.02 and 0.04 m3/person/year.
Accumulation rates are lower in wet pits because biodegradation is faster under wet conditions
than under the only just moist conditions in dry pits. For design purposes, solids accumulation
rates may be taken as 0.04 and 0.06 m3/person/year in wet and dry pits respectively. The value
of C can also be obtained from Table below

Table: Values of Solids Accumulation Rates (m3/person/year)

Wet Pit Dry Pit

Anal cleansing: Anal cleansing: Anal cleansing: Anal cleansing:
water solids water solids
0.04 0.06 0.06 0.09
(Source: Kalbermatten et. aI., 1980)

Pit Latrine from Local Materials

The simplest type of pit latrine, made completely from local materials, is not an ideal solution.
But in many places, for example in remote villages or very poor areas, another type of sanitation
is not available for people. Therefore, it is important to make the best out of it and use the
materials locally available.
Following the guidelines below can improve the latrine considerably. Spread this information
among the people who may need it.
¾ Select a location for your latrine which is not flooded during heavy rains, preferably a bit
elevated, and far enough from the kitchen and a well, always downstream or downhill
from where the water is taken.
¾ Dig a pit. It should be small with straight walls, maybe 1.00 m × 1.00 m or round. It
should never reach the groundwater. If the water is near or the soil can easily collapse,
dig it only 1.00 m or 1.50 m deep.
¾ Make a few mud blocks or take big stones. Build a collar around the pit or make the
collar from mud directly. It is important that the level of the "slab" is above ground. Fill
earth around and compact it well.

¾ Construct a slab from poles, covered with earth. The squatting hole must be 20 × 40 cm.
If it is too small, the latrine will not remain clean.

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¾ Build a roof over the latrine and a wall around it. It is most important to prevent rainwater
from entering the pit.

¾ Smear the floor. A smeared floor is easier to be kept clean.

¾ Build a fitting lid for the squatting hole.

¾ Put a container, e.g. a broken clay pot with ashes and sand, a calabash, and a broom
into the latrine.
¾ Put grass and leaves into the pit before starting to use it.
¾ Discuss and explain the correct use to the family members repeatedly. Insist on keeping
the rules.
¾ When the latrine is full, build a new one. Cover the contents of the first with earth. After
one year you can dig them out as fertilizer for the garden and you may use the pit again.
¾ Build a small children's squatting slab from local material. This will help the children to
learn how to use a latrine properly.

Advantages:

¾ least costly;
¾ easily constructed and maintained;
¾ structurally safe and therefore free from the risk of children falling into it, and thus less
frightening for children;
¾ prevents hookworm transmission
¾ Offers a better solution than open defecation and unhygienic hanging latrines
¾ No water needed for operation.

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Disadvantages

¾ Flies lay their eggs in faeces within poorly built latrines. Increase in the fly population
increases spread of diseases caused by the faecal pathogens they carry.
¾ odor nuisance;
¾ improper lining of pits may lead to collapse of the superstructure
¾ Unsuitable where water-table is high, soil is too unstable to dig or ground is very rocky.

Problem:
Problem: 1
Design a low-cost simple pit latrine for a family of six persons. The soil in the area is
fairly permeable and stable. The groundwater table is 5 m below ground level. Determine
the size of the pit required for a period of five years. The family uses water for anal
cleansing.

Solution:
Assume that the pit would be above the groundwater table and therefore can be considered as
a dry pit. Hence the value of C, with water being used for anal cleansing, can be taken as 0.06
m3/person/year. As the soil is very permeable, the liquid part will percolate into the soil fairly
quickly
We know,
The required volume of the pit, V = 1.33 x C x P x N,
= 1.33x0.06x6x5
= 2.4 m³
To limit the size of the squatting plate for practical reasons, the size of a circular pit should be in
the range of 1.0-1.5m in diameter. For the present case a 1.25m diameter circular pit is
considered. .
Cross-sectional area of the pit = πD²/4
=π x (1.25) ²/4
=1.23m²
Volume of the pit
Depth of the pit =
Cross − sec tional area of the pit
= 2.4/1.23
= 1.95 m

Excavate a pit of depth = 2.0 m

A rectangular pit can also be considered

Assume a section of 1.25 m x 1.25 m for the present case.
Area of the cross-section = 1.25x1.25
= 1.56 m²
∴ The required depth =
= 2.4/1.56
= 1.54
Choose a depth of 1.7 m

Problem: 2
Exact Pit Calculation for Pit Latrine
Volume of discharge = 0.05 m3/person/year
Size of one household = 9 persons
Number of years before emptying = 3 years
Now Design a pit latrine with details.

Pit
Volume for 9 persons for 3 years V=1.33CxPxN
=1.33x (0.05 m3/person/year)*(9 persons)*(3 years)=1.80 m3
Consider a pit with 1.25m length and width
Pit area = (1.25 m) * (1.25 m) = 1.56 m2
Depth = Volume / Area = (1.80 m3)/ (1.56 m2) = 1.15 m
In summary, the pit dimension is 1.25 m long * 1.25 m wide * 1.2 m deep

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Pit Cover
The pit cover should extend 12 cm from each side of the pit. Thus:
Length = length of pit + 2 * (0.12 m) = 1.25 m + 0.24 m = 1.49 m2
Width = width of pit + 2 * (0.12 m) = 1.25 m + 0.24 m = 1.49 m2
Thickness of pit cover = 6 cm = 0.06 m
Thus, volume of pit cover = (1.49 m) * (1.49 m) * (0.06 m) = 0.133 m3

Shelter
Area of shelter base = (1.0 m) * (1.2 m) = 1.2 m2
Height = 1.8 m
Area of shelter wall = 2 * (1.0 m) * (1.8 m) + 2 * (1.2 m) * (1.8 m) = 7.92 m2
The area of the roof extends 0.12 m from each side of the shelter
Area of roof = (Length of shelter + 0.12 m) * (Width of shelter + 0.12 m) = (1.2 m + 0.12
m) * (1.0 m + 0.12 m) = 1.48 m2

Problem 3
In an effort to discourage people from open defecation the local authority in a village offers pre-
cast concrete rings of 1.0 m diameter and concrete slabs to cover the pits at a very subsidized
rate. Design a simple pit latrine for an average family of 7 persons who uses water for anal
cleansing. The groundwater table is below 5.0 m and the latrine is to serve the family for at least
4 years.

Assignment: problem 3

Ventilated-improved pit (VIP) latrines

Ventilated improved pit latrines, commonly known as VIP latrines, are an improvement to
overcome the disadvantages of the simple pit latrines. The main problems associated with
traditional simple pit latrines i.e. fly and mosquito nuisance and unpleasant odors, are effectively
minimized by the action of a vent pipe, fly screen and a sustain cover in the .VIP latrines.
The whole system is properly engineered as an effective sanitation option for both rural and
urban areas by designing the pit either as a single pit or an alternate twin-pit system, single-pit
can be emptied mechanically. In case of a permanent superstructure, an alternating twin-pit
system permitting safe manual removal of the digested solids may be installed.

VIP latrine pits receive excreta in the same fashion as those of the simple pit latrines, by direct
deposition through a squat hole or a pedestal seat. The liquid part infiltrates into the surrounding
soil and the faecal solids are digested anaerobically, gradually accumulating and eventually
requiring emptying the pit for further use.

Elements of VIP latrines:

¾ the pit, which can be either a single pit or an alternating twin-pit; in either case, the pit
should be lined with open joint brickwork or prefabricated concrete rings; the lining
prevents soil collapse during emptying operations or during heavy rains, and the open
joints allow liquids to infiltrate into the soil;
¾ a cover slab, usually of reinforced concrete, which covers the pit and has two holes - the
squat hole and the other for the vent pipe;
¾ a superstructure for privacy and protection from rain and sun, which can be built
according to the choices of the users;
¾ The vent pipe and the fly screen which keep the latrine free from flies, mosquitoes, and
unpleasant odors.

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Figure: Ventilated-improved pit (VIP) latrines

Single pit VIP latrines

Single pit VIP latrines consist of one pit, a vent pipe and a superstructure and are suitable
where mechanical emptying is possible when the pit is full. Manual emptying is not
recommended as the excreta at the top are fresh and potentially dangerous for the emptier.
Usually they are designed for a longer life (e.g., ten years) and act as permanent structures.

Alternating twin-pit VIP latrines

¾ Alternating twin-pit VIP latrines have two separate pits, each with their own vent pipe,
and the superstructure is located centrally over the off-set pits.
¾ The slab covering the pits has two squat holes, one over each pit.
¾ Only one squat hole and pit are used at a time, the squat hole over the other pit being
closed by a concrete plug.
¾ When this pit is full, say, after 1 -3 years, its squat hole is covered up and the second pit
is put into service.
¾ After a further period of 1 -3 years, when the second pit is full, the contents of first pit are
removed and it is put back into service.
¾ This alternating cycle continues indefinitely. This type of VIP latrine thus offers a
permanent sanitation option suitable for both urban and rural areas.

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Figure: Twin-pit VIP latrine

How odor and Insect is controlled by VIP Latrine? Or how the disadvantage
of simple pit latrine is overcome?
Odor control
The principal mechanism of ventilation in VIP latrines is the action of wind blowing across the
top of the vent pipe. The wind creates a strong circulation of air through the superstructure,
down through the squat hole, across the pit and up and out of the vent pipe. Unpleasant faecal
odor from the pit contents are thus sucked up and exhausted out of the vent pipe, leaving the
superstructure odor-free.

Insect control
Flies, searching for an egg-laying site, are attracted by fecal odors coming from the vent pipe,
but they are prevented from entering by the fly-screen at the outlet of the vent pipe. Some flies
may enter into the pit via the squat hole and lay their eggs there. When new adult flies emerge
they automatically fly towards light. However, if the latrine is dark inside the only light they can
see is at the top of the vent pipe. Since the vent pipe is provided with a fly-screen at its top, flies
will not be able to escape and eventually they will die and fall back into the pit.

To ensure that there is a flow of air through the latrine there must be adequate ventilation of the
superstructure. This is usually achieved by leaving openings above and below the door, or by
constructing a spiral wall without a door.

Design considerations for VIP latrines

Design Life
For single-pit VIP latrines, the design life should be as long as possible; at least 10 years is
desirables. The longer the design life, the longer the interval between relocating or emptying the
latrine. For alternating twin-pit VIP latrines the design life should be 1-3 years.

Dimensions
Usually the pit cross-sectional area should not be more than 2 m in order to avoid cover slabs
with large spans. In practice, VIP latrines serving one household commonly have a diameter of
1- 1.5 m or, in case of square or rectangular pits, a width of 1-1.5 m.

Vent Pipe
Vent pipes of a wide variety of materials are used, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), un-
plasticized PVC (uPVC), bricks, etc. Whatever material is used, its durability (including corrosion
resistance), availability, cost and ease of construction are important factors. The vent pipe
should be sufficiently long so that the roof does not interfere with the action of wind across the

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top of the vent pipe. For flat roofs, top of the vent pipe should be at least 500 mm higher than
the roof, and in case of sloping roofs the vent pipe should be 500 mm above the highest point of
the roof.
The internal diameter of the vent pipe depends on the required venting velocity necessary to
achieve the recommended ventilation rate of 20m3/hr. This in turn depends on factors like
internal surface roughness of the pipe, its length (which determines the friction losses), the head
loss through the fly-screen and wind direction. Current recommendations for minimum internal
size of vent pipes are as follows

PVC 150 mm diameter

Brick 230 mm square
Others 230 mm diameter

Fly-screen specification
The purpose of the fly-screen is to prevent passage of flies and mosquitoes; therefore, the mesh
aperture must not be larger than t1 mm x 1.5 mm. The f1yscreen must be made of corrosion
resistant material that is able to withstand intense rainfall, high temperatures and strong
sunlight. It is preferable to use stainless steel screens.

Relocation and emptying of pits

Where a single pit that is continually in use is to be emptied, two techniques can be used:
mechanical pumping and manual emptying. But incase of Twin-pit manual sorting is Done.

Mechanical pumping
Portable vacuum tanker
Mechanical emptying systems exist that are both technically and financially viable.
The solution is portable vacuum tankers, specifically designed for use in slums and other areas
that are difficult to reach with a conventional vacuum tanker. Portable tankers are currently used
in informal settlements and slum areas of Dhaka (Bangladesh), Nairobi (Kenya), Maputo
(Mozambique), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and other cities

Features of a portable vacuum tanker

Vacutug
The Vacutug is probably the most widely used small vacuum tanker operating in informal
settlements. The original module was designed by Manus Coffey Associates (with support from
UN Habitat) for use in Kibera, Kenya in the late 1990s. The first Vacutug has a 500 liter capacity
tank and vacuum pump assembly, driven by a small motorized operating vehicle.

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UN-Habitat Vacutug

A suction hose runs from this unit into the pit, either through the squatting hole / seat in the slab,
or through a special opening directly into the pit.
The excreta to be removed may be too solid for the pump to lift, so water may need to be added
and the contents mixed to liquefy them first. Any stones, sticks, plastic bags and other solid
items thrown into the pit will block the suction hose. Users need to be educated into what can
and can’t be put into the pit, if this emptying option is to be used.
Although the vehicle can access properties in densely-packed settlements, its small capacity
and a speed limit of 4 km/hour makes for frequent trips and significant travel times to take
excreta to a disposal site. Operators may resort to disposing the faecal sludge into a nearby
water course or onto waste ground, if there is no provision for discharging into a sewer, or at a
nearby treatment plant.
To find out more about how local independent providers are offering pit emptying services using
the Vacutug in Bangladesh and Mozambique, refer to GHK (2005) and Sugden (2005)
respectively.

Manual Emptying
Emptying excreta from a pit is an unpleasant task and can be extremely hazardous, both from a
public health point of view and a safety perspective. Ideally the pit should be emptied by people
standing at ground level and using shovels, buckets and ropes to remove the excreta, without
having to enter into the pit. In reality, this is rarely the case, as the excreta can be quite dense
and difficult to shift and many pits are too deep to remove the excreta without entering them.

-For safety
No one should enter a pit without wearing a harness and safety rope. The rope should be held
by at least 2 people standing on the surface, who can lift the person out of the pit if overcome by
fumes, or the pit starts to collapse. Pit walls, especially in unlined pits, can collapse if the pit is
emptied after years of being filled. The structural stability of the pit walls must be continually
monitored as emptying takes place.
At least part of the pit cover slab will need to be removed to provide access and improve air
circulation. The pit should be left to “vent” for some time before anyone enters it and fans can be
used to improve the circulation of air in the pit. Buckets will be needed to lift the contents to the
surface. Gloves, boots and other personal protective equipment is essential, as are washing
facilities close to the pit.
Manual emptying can take several days, depending on the size of the pit and the consistency of
the contents.

Soakway
A VIP latrine with adjacent soakaway increases the pit life. The latrine pit is completely sealed
with cement mortar or mortared brickwork and a PVC pipe of -5mm diameter which leads to the
adjacent soakaway is attached at a height of about 2.25m above the pit base.
The soakaway has a diameter of 1.5 m and a depth of 2m. It is lined with un-mortared bricks to
a depth of 1.4 m. At this depth a reinforced concrete cover slab is placed on the bricks and the
remaining space above it is backfilled.

Advantages
The major advantages of VIP latrine technology are as follows
¾ controls odor and insect,:
¾ minimum health risk:

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¾ low cost:
¾ easy construction and maintenance;
¾ minimum water requirement:
¾ Twin-pit VIP latrine system offers a long-term solution.

Constraints

¾ potential for groundwater pollution:

¾ lack of space for relocating the pit in densely populated areas
¾ Difficult and expensive to construct properly;
¾ design and operation often not fully understood;
¾ dark interior may discourage young children from use;
¾ Increased odor outside.
¾ Difficulty of construction in rocky and high water table areas.

Problem 4

Design a VIP latrine for a family of eight. The family uses water for anal cleansing. The
groundwater table is only 2.0 m below the ground surface.

Solution:
(a) Single pit option

Assume that the latrine pit will be above the groundwater table and hence dry.
The solids accumulation rate, C = 0.06 m3 per person per year
Using equation and assuming that the pit will be emptied every three years,
V=CxPxN
= 0.05 x 8 x 3
= 1.2 m3
Suitable pit dimension would be 1.0 m x 1.2m, with a depth of 1.5 m including 0.5 m free space.
Thus the pit base is still above the ground water table, so the pit will remain dry.

(b) Alternating twin-pit option

If the emptying cycle is three years as for the single pit system, then the dimension of each pit
would remain the same, i.e., 1.0 m x 1.2 m x 1.5 m.
A two year cycle would result in smaller pits.
V =CxPxN
= 0.05 x 8 x 2
= 0.8 m3
The dimension of each pit would be 0.8 m x 1.0 m, with a depth of 1.5 m including 0.5 m free
space

Note:
Since the pit bottom is a very close to the groundwater table, it is suggested that the pit bottom
be sealed with a clay lining or lean concrete and that 0.5 m annulus sand be placed between
the pit lining and the soil in order to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.

Reed Odorless Earth Closet (ROEC)

Reed odorless earth closet is a variation on the ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine. With
ROEC, the pit is fully off-set from the superstructure and is connecting to the squatting plate by
a curve chute. The ROEC is fitted with a vent pipe to control odour and insect nuisance. It is
claimed that the chute, in conjunction with the ventilation stack, encourages vigorous air
circulation down the latrine, thereby removing odors and discouraging flies. This latrine is
common in southern Africa.

Design Consideration for ROEC

Same as VIP latrine

Advantages: As the pit is offset from the squatting hole excreta will not seen, thus convenient
to the users.

Grytan Sarkar, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, KUET, Khulna-9203

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