Ecological Sanitation in Southern Africa Many approaches to a varied need

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1 Ecological Sanitation in Southern Africa Many approaches to a varied need Peter Morgan Aquamor,, Harare

2 Southern Africa is a huge territory with a diverse range of well established sanitary options available for use. 1- Basic pit sanitation 2 Improved pit sanitation - VIP 3 Flush

3 To this has more recently been added a new range of sanitary options and recycling methods which fall under the umbrella of ecological sanitation. The concept of ecological sanitation embraces more than toilet provision alone It is a philosophy which attempts to provide sanitation where pollution of the environment is reduced, water is conserved and where the nutrients available in processed excreta can be used in agriculture. This paper attempts to describe some of these activities.

4 Currently there is a huge deficiency in the provision of sanitation ion as a whole in Southern Africa. Millions of new sanitary installations are required to cope with those that are unserved or underserved. The big Q Is there a way in which the combined use of both conventional and ecological sanitation can be used to meet this huge challenge?

5 The Stimulus The stimulus which helped promote ecological sanitation in Southern Africa took place at a workshop in Balingsholm,, Sweden in 1997 This meeting was based on the work carried out in the Sida supported SanRes project, where urine diverting technology had been used successfully in many countries worldwide, including Mexico (below). The he benefits of using the ecosan approach were seen as safer, drier, water saving toilets where recycling of the human excreta was possible.

6 In Africa itself, the earliest work to promote urine diverting toilets and ecosan, including the recycling of nutrients, took place in Ethiopia by SUDEA. The concept has now spread throughout the continent

7 South Africa s s earliest pioneering work took place in Umtata in Single vault urine diverting toilets were tested and evaluated. The safety of the dehydrated faeces was also studied. The work undertaken in Mexico acted as a huge stimulus.

8 Zimbabwe also looked at several aspects of ecosan Testing urine diversion Adapting existing sanitary systems like the pit toilet Studying influence of toilet compost and urine on food crops

9 With WaterAid support ecosan work started up in Malawi and Mozambique after 2000 mainly using shallow pit composting systems like the Arborloo and Fossa alterna Malawi and Mozambique with the support of WaterAid (UK) have undertaken pioneering work in promoting low cost ecosan based on modifications of the pit toilet This has been extended in Mozambique by ESTAMOS and in Malawi by the CCAP in Northern Malawi and COMWASH in Southern Malawi. Various other NGOs followed

10 Ecosan work started up in Botswana and Namibia in 2001 with the support of GTZ In Botswana ecosan promotion was linked with a more holistic approach to recycling. We shall hear a lot more about this work from the GTZ people!

11 Under the ecosan umbrella, urine diverting technology is used almost exclusively throughout the world and also in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana

12 Transformation Conventional water borne sanitation can be transformed into urine diverting ecosan relatively easily (Thanks( to Richard Holden)

13 Existing VIP technology can be upgraded to use the urine diverting principle as this example from Zimbabwe shows. (Thanks to Mvuramanzi Trust)

14 The pit toilet can also be modified to embrace ecosan. Two systems based on shallow pit composting have also been added to the range of sanitary options Arborloo. A simple shallow pit toilet where the structure is moved once or twice a year and where a tree is planted on the old pit. Based on traditional African method. Fossa alterna A twin alternating shallow pit system where soil and ash are added regularly to the pit to reduce odour and fly breeding and to accelerate composting. Annual removal of pit compost is possible for use on garden. Pits are used alternately.

15 A mix of sanitary technologies (urine diversion and shallow pit composting) are used in countries like Malawi and Mozambique and Zimbabwe

16 Numbers eco-san toilets built in the subregion (approximately) country Botswana Malawi Mozambique Namibia South Africa Zimbabwe Shallow pit composting Urine diversion 40+? Less than ? -?

17 Range of costs of eco-san toilets country Botswana Malawi Mozambique Namibia South Africa Zimbabwe - US$5-20 US$ US$5-20 (approximately) Shallow pit composting Squatting and semi-permanent Urine diversion Pedestal and permanent building US$ US$300 -? US$ US$200

18 Promotional methods A considerable range of promotional methods have been used. These include workshops, demonstrations, PHAST, Drama, radio, field visits etc. Below pit compost is scrutinised in Mozambique.. On the right tree planting drama in Malawi

19 Recycling the nutrients 3 basic methods of recycling nutrients 1- Growing trees in shallow latrine pits 2 Making humus by combining excreta with soil, wood ash and leaves in: Shallow composting toilet pits & Urine diversion secondary composting sites 3 Using urine as a plant liquid feed

20 Recycling tree growing Valuable trees of many types can be grown on filled toilet pits. This is a method which originates in traditional African culture. The Arborloo is designed specifically for linking the toilet with tree planting. The excreta are never handled in this method.

21 Recycling toilet compost When toilet compost is mixed with an equal volume of poor soil, vegetable production can be increased significantly. The quality of the compost depends on what its constituents are. Excreta, soil, wood ash and leaves make the best toilet compost.

22 Recycling- use of urine When diluted urine is used on vegetables and neat urine on maize output can be increased significantly. Below a spinach crop increased by over 3 times by use of diluted urine (3:1 added twice a week). A maize crop where the grain weight was doubled by the use of urine. A total of one litre urine was used per plant added in smaller doses over the growing period.

23 Problem areas! 1.. These new technologies and methods do come with their own potential problems. Soil and ash must be added regularly to shallow pit composting toilets to reduce smell and flies and get an accelerated conversion to compost. Without these additions they behave like normal pit toilets With urine diversion technology the vaults must remain almost dry, and flooding must be avoided at all costs. User discipline is required Some provision must be made for the removal and use of the urine and compost. Where the owner/user is not prepared to handle the material, a collection system must be arranged Handling part converted eco-manure can be dangerous. 12 months composting is required In all cases user education is required. All eco-toilets require far more user participation and understanding than the conventional pit and flush systems

24 How can ecosan help the overall sanitation programme? 1. adds a new and interesting dimension to sanitation provision 2- Can be provided at ultra low cost if necessary Can add a very smart alternative to the flush 3 Can ease problem of pit emptying 4 - Can improve food production

25 It may also help to solve a huge problem which looms in many countries in Southern Africa What happens when the pit of heavily subsidised VIP and other pit toilets fills up? In many parts of Southern Africa large numbers of family VIP latrines using single pits have been built. Each has a pit life of years Most pits will eventually fill up and be abandoned Is all the cost and effort, just for the benefit of a single generation?

26 Making pits more easily excavated By regularly adding soil and ash to toilet pits rather than garbage, the contents become much more easily excavated by hand. The more rapid conversion into compost may also reduce the potential for underground contamination of water. This does require: A change in the habit of toilet use, and Two alternating pits are required. Experiment in Maputaland South Africa

27 This is a fully recyclable brick VIP! There are two lined pits about 2m deep. The brick (block) superstructure is bonded with weak cement mortar. Roof and vent pipe are made of asbestos for long life. The unit is designed so it can be taken apart and rebuilt in a few hours. A portable structure could also be used. Excreta, soil and ash (+leaves) are added to the pit p (no garbage). Pit use alternates every 2 to 4 years depending on use.

28 Overall conclusions Ecological sanitation offers a wide range of technical options suitable to a wide range of potential users in Southern Africa Even with the lowest cost options, the toilets can provide far more m than a safe sanitary disposal system. The humus derived from eco-toilets together with urine can enhance the production of vegetables and maize. It is important to exchange ideas and experiences within the sub- region and elsewhere so that old problems are not repeated. Ecological sanitation forms valuable links between health, sanitation and agriculture. LETS PLANT MORE TREES!