Eco-toilet in India helps farmers make their own fertilizer

Abstract

The problem of open defecation Open defecation means number two happening outside a toilet. "Toilets constructed in households are mostly left unused. We tried using it but the sludge flows through drains, which are located right in front of our house. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk to the jungle where we find it is safe to openly defecate." To those accustomed to using fields, it's totally gross and counterintuitive to want to do that in your home. Indian Muslims have been quicker to welcome toilets into their homes. Septic tank toilets - one of three toilet types used widely in India - have a bad habit of accumulating sludge in drainpipes close to homes. In drought-prone villages, people would rather use limited water for drinking and washing than for flushing toilets. "This adds another dimension to handling human waste. That excreted in the open can be washed into creeks, rivers and other water sources, greatly raising the risk of illness for humans and livestock." Introducing the EcoSan toilet EcoSan toilets are dry toilets built on raised platforms with separate concrete chambers below. The cost of each EcoSan toilet is between $250 and $375, depending on location and transportation costs.