The human excreta is known to contain valuable nutrients, notably nitrogen (mostly found in the urine), phosphorus and potassium. Eco-san latrines are also expected to be ecologically sound, reducing contamination of the environment, and use a minimum of water to operate.

With implications in areas as diverse as nutrition, education and health, the lack of proper sanitation and hygiene is considered one of the greatest barriers to community development. In Salima, TA Khombedza is all too familiar with these far-reaching consequences. A combination of factors including a lack of sewage treatment system, poor access to water and lack of space result in a complex sanitation challenge for the area.

Currently the most widespread model of sanitation toilet in the area is the pit latrine. Pit latrines are often smelly, fragile structures that are unsafe for children and are subject to overflow during the rainy season. Once a pit latrine becomes full, it is common for a completely new pit

+ View more

to be dug, making the system unsustainable. Open defecation is also commonly practiced with terrible health consequences.

CASCODE proposes to implement this project in line with the developmental thrust of Malawi Government through SDGs particularly in reducing poverty through income generation and food security. It is also in line with department of water and health since it aims to reduce the number of households living below poverty line through enhanced delivery of basic social services and improved access to essential facilities that include sanitary toilet, clean water, air and health care. In addition, it is related to agricultural department and climate change in the sense that it encourages using organic manure in farming systems which is environmental friendly.
The toilet model that is decided to present in this project is a Skyloo latrine. Skyloo latrine is a dry pit composite latrine. In this toilet solid and liquid human excreta are collected separately. The excreta collect in the pit where ash or leaves are added as fillers. The urine is collected separately, diluted with water and used as fertilizer. The feaces collected in the alternate pits are allowed to decompose and alternately emptied, applied in the field as composite manure. In each of these latrines there will be a hand washing facilities of which the users will be encouraged to make through hygiene promotion. Location of sites of latrines will be carried out in consultation with the users to ensure that they are not near sources of drinking water like boreholes and wells to avoid contamination.
Objectives;
-Increase awareness amongst community members on sanitation
-Improve agricultural productivity through the use of excreta and urine as a source of organic fertilizer
-Increase availability of ecological friendly sanitary facilities through construction of Eco-san latrines.

- Hide