Household Excreta Disposal system

Types of Household Excreta Disposal system in Sri Lanka

The purpose of an excreta disposal system is to carry human excreta back to the nature, providing comfort and convenience to the users. In the process there should be minimal risk of excreta-related diseases to humans and livestock and minimal pollution of the environment. Therefore an excreta disposal system is a must by nature.

In Sri Lanka, major challenges with environmental health is that of excreta and refuse disposal system appropriate to low-income communities and high-density for some instance. The on site disposal system that is by far the most convenient for these situations is the conventional water-borne sewage system where the excreta of household are retaiened, stabilized and disposed of, within the premises of individual household is being widly used in rural areas. The different types of on site excreta disposal systems more generally used as follows :

# Simple Pit Latrines

# Water Sealed Pour-Flush Latrines

# Dry Compost Latrines (EcoSan Toilets)

Simple Pit Latrine

The pit latrine is the most common method of on site excreta disposal system. Good pit latrines provide similar health benefit to sophisticated sewage system at very much lower cost. There are several forms of pit latrine. Selection of the most appropriate type depends partly on the local situation including, the ground water table, the tradition and cultures of the users. Material used for anal cleaning after defecation is yet another factor to be considered. However, in Sri Lanka mostly water is used for this purpose as a general practice.

In all types of pit latrine excreta falls directly or indirectly to a hole in the ground or into the built pit. In the pit excreta decompose. With the decomposition gases given of like Carbon Dioxide and Methane escape to the atmosphere or are the absorbed by the soil. Suspended particles in the water infiltrate through the bottom and the sides of the pit into the surrounding soil. A solid residue accumulates in the pit gradually coming to the soil on decomposition.

The most common complaints about unsatisfactory latrines are nuisance from flies and bad smells. Flies are also one of the main agents for the transmission of faeces-derived diseases. Female flies lay their eggs on faeces. Newly hatched flies in great numbers emerge from an open pit carrying partial of faeces to their next meal, which may b on human food. In a pit latrine where urine and water used for anal cleaning are falling in to the pi there is the possibility for mosquitoes breeding too, in the pit. Therefore, for the better control of flies and smells water sealed pour flush latrine are effective for comparatively shallow pits also.

Water Sealed Pour-Flush Latrine

This is the most commonly used type of latrine in Sri Lanka where water is used for anal cleaning. Poor flush latrines have a pan with a water seal fitted onto the squatting plate, which is clean by pouring in water. About three liter of water is usually sufficient for flush clearing the pan and the seal after every use. Almost a similar quantity of water may be required for anal cleaning after defecation.

In this method the superstructure is not erected on the top of the pit. Instead the pit is located away from the cabin and the pour flush ceramic pan with the water seal is connected to the pit with a smooth bore pipe usually earthenware or PVC laid to a slop of not less than 1 in 40. This type could be installed indoors since it is free from both unpleasant smell and the nuisance of flies and mosquitoes provided it is seen clean, at all time.

Dry Compost Latrines (EcoSan Toilets)

The dry compost latrine can be identified as a more environment friendly type of excreta disposal system where the use of decomposed pit content as a resource is design and built to keep the faeces separate form urine and the water used for anal cleaning. In this case special emphasis is placed on providing a separate place for washing and measures are taken to ensure that the waste water is drained away without getting into the pit. Usual design is to orient the wash place such a way that the urine gets diluted with the wash water on the way to its disposal area, thus facilitating reduction of bad odors. The latrine is usually elevated construction (stepped-up) with the pit fully lined making it watertight and always in two compartment vaults for alternate use. Unlike the other types of latrines there are no effluent discharges from the pit of a dry compost latrine to the surrounding area. The urine - which is liquid fertilizer – diluted with the anal cleaning water can be conveniently drained into an evaporative plant bed or a cultivation plot where it will be effectively used by plants. To eliminate bad odours and the nuisance from flies a handful of ash, lime or fine soil has to be spread into the pit covering the fresh excreta after every use and the squat hole has to be covered with the lid provided at all times not in use. It takes over a year for complete decomposition of the content in a pit before it converts itself into compost itself into compost.

Design this way, a dry compost latrine will be highly effective and more appropriate solution to sanitation in high water table areas and water logged areas. Due to its water conserving technology the dry composed latrine can be effectively used in areas with a scarcity of water resources.

When the in use fills up to about three quarters of the depth it has to be put out of use. A layer of soil is spread over the content and the squad hole is sealed up with the lid. The contents are allowed to decompose. Normally within six months of a time the fecal matter decomposes into a compost resembling rich garden soil with no objectionable odour or appearance.

Ecological Sanitation

Ecological sanitation, also known as ecosan or eco-san, is a sanitation process that uses human excreta and household wastewater as resources to be recovered, treated (where necessary), and reused, instead of as waste. Unlike most conventional sanitation methods, ecological sanitation processes human waste (as well as sometimes animal waste, and organic kitchen waste) to recover nutrients (usually for the purpose of growing crops) that would otherwise be discarded.

Ecological sanitation (ecosan) offers a new philosophy of dealing with what is presently regarded as waste and wastewater. Ecosan is based on the systematic implementation of reuse and recycling of nutrients and water as a hygienically safe, closed-loop and holistic alternative to conventional sanitation solutions. Ecosan systems enable the recovery of nutrients from human  faeces and urine for the benefit of agriculture, thus helping to preserve soil fertility, assure food for future generations, minimize water pollution and recover bio energy ensure that water is used economically and is recycled in a safe way to the greatest possible extent for purposes such as irrigation or groundwater recharge.

The main objectives of ecological sanitation are :

• To reduce the health risks related to sanitation, contaminated water and waste

• To prevent the pollution of surface and groundwater

• To prevent the degradation of soil fertility

• To optimize the management of nutrients and water resources.

Flora and Fauna

The mountains and the southwestern part of the country, known as the "wet zone", receive ample rainfall at an average of 2,500 mm (98 in). Most of the east, southeast, and northern parts of the country comprise the "dry zone", which receives between 1,200 mm (47 in) and 1,900 mm (75 in) of rain annually. Much of the rain in these areas falls from October to January; during the rest of the year there is very little precipitation. The arid northwest and southeast coasts receive the least amount of rain at 600 mm (24 in) to 1,200 mm (47 in) per year. Varieties of flowering acacias are well adapted to the arid conditions and flourish on the Jaffna Peninsula. Among the trees of the dry-land forests, are some valuable species such as satinwood, ebony, ironwood, mahogany and teak.

In the wet zone, the dominant vegetation of the lowlands is a tropical evergreen forest, with tall trees, broad foliage, and a dense undergrowth of vines and creepers. Subtropical evergreen forests resembling those of temperate climates flourish in the higher altitudes. Forests at one time covered nearly the entire island, but by the late 20th century lands classified as forests and forest reserves covered around ⅓ of the land.

The Yala National Park in the southeast protects herds of elephant, deer, and peacocks, and the Wilpattu National Park in the northwest preserves the habitats of many water birds, such as storks, pelicans, ibis, and spoonbills. During the Mahaweli Ganga Program of the 1970s and 1980s in northern Sri Lanka, the government set aside four areas of land totaling 1,900 km2 (730 sq mi) as national parks. The island has four biosphere reserves, Bundala, Hurulu Forest Reserve, the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya and Sinharaja.

The national flower of Sri Lanka is the Nymphaea stellata (Sinhalese Nil Mahanel), the national tree is the Ironwood (Sinhalese Na), and the national bird is the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, which is endemic to the country.

WASH in IDPs

JAFFNA, KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA and TRINCOMALEE DISTRICTS

Displacement after April 2008 - IDP situation as reported by Government Agents

as of 9 October 2009

IDPs

During the period 1 April 2008 to 9 October 2009 - 247,073 persons are currently accommodated in camps and hospitals.

Vavuniya Camps : 229,649

Mannar Camps : 1,314

Jaffna Camps : 7,401

Trincomalee Camps : 6,725

245,089 people are accommodated in temporary camps.

Hospitals : 1,984 5 IDPs (injured and care givers) are in hospitals in various districts6 as of 28 August 2009.

RELEASES, RETURNS & TRANSFERS

Releases : 13,336 people have been released from temporary camps into host families and elders’ homes as of 09 October 2009. The majority of these people are elders, people with learning disabilities and other ulnerable groups.

Returns to places of origin : 13,502 have been returned to Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts between 05 August and 09 October 2009.

Transfers to the districts of origin and accommodated in transit sites : 1,749 have been transferred to Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Mannar districts between 11 September and 09 October 2009.

(Source – UNOCHA)

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Around 265,000 people were displaced earlier this year as a result of the conflict since 1983 between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), with military victory and government rule of the entire island declared on May 18th 2009.

During the period 1 April 2008 to 28 September 2009, 255,551 persons are reported as currently accommodated in camps and hospitals, of which 253,567 continue to be accommodated in temporary camps, with the great majority in Vavuniya. 7,835 people have been released from temporary camps into host families and elders' homes as of 24 September 2009. The majority of these people are elders, people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable groups. 6,813 have been returned to Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts between 5 August and 28 September 2009. (UNOCHA Joint Humanitarian Update, as of 28 September 2009)

The increasing number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Sri Lanka results in a greater strain on the already inadequate water and sanitation services available to the communities in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the current IDP locations are often congested, thus causing a risk of an outbreak of water-borne and water and sanitation related diseases.
Addressing this situation require:

a) enhanced coordination among sector partners and institutions

b) establishing safe water sources for drinking and cooking purposes c) setting up temporary facilities for washing and personal hygiene paying special attention to privacy and proper disposal of waste waters

c) construction of temporary latrines ensuring privacy and security, particularly for women and children

d) establishing appropriate and community managed systems for proper drainage and solid waste disposal.

In order to enhance the capacity of the Government to coordinate all stakeholders involved in planning and responding to humanitarian emergencies arising in the country, a Water and Sanitation Emergency Task Force was established in 2006 under the umbrella of the National Coordination Group of Water, Sanitation and Drainage. The main objectives of the Emergency Task Force is to guarantee that humanitarian response is coordinated, timely and adequate and that partnership among humanitarian actors of the sector is strengthened to make their collaborative action more effective and predictable.

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