An internationally respected NGO are encouraging and assisting people to build pit latrines across Uganda…

They also encourage people to start business in the area…mostly based around emptying of these pits

The set-up they use is known as an offset pour flush latrinelatrine…

They try to encourage people to start sanitation businesses in the area…mostly based around pit emptying

It takes 2 litres of water to empty this bend

I prevent smell and

flies!

Typically brick lined

However, they are finding that some pits fill much quicker than others…

This is an issue as pit latrines (especially in urban areas) are difficult to empty…

So its best if their life can be extended as long as possible…

What the NGO want to know is…

Why does the pit fill so much quicker in some areas than others?

Contributing factors will include…

No. of users + their behaviour

Soil typeWeather

This project considers the USER…and seeks

to explore…

1. How many users are there per day?2. How much total volume does each user contribute to the pit?

1. What is the individual contribution of urine, faeces, water and other solids (tampons, toilet roll etc)?

NECESSARY DATA

IDEAL DATA

Sometimes I bathe in the

latrine as it is the only private

space available

I have no water

availability so I flush very little water

A ‘device’ needs to be developed that…

• is robust enough to survive a Uganda pit latrine• is not easily soiled• can operate without mains electricity• can be installed and operated without skilled labour• can be fabricated from basic, locally available material• Is cheap (ideal budget $50 for ‘Necessary data’, $200

for ‘Ideal data’ as described in previous slide) • Is capable of logging data over time (via USB/phone or

computer)

It is preferred that ‘device’ fits in or around the 1.5m 110 mm plastic pipe which feeds from the pan to the pit

*~40o

*Angle can be modified if necessary

IDEALLY…

A $50 SOLUTION WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO BE INSTALLED ON UPWARDS OF 50 LATRINES FOR BASIC

MONITORING

A $200 SOLUTION WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO BE INSTALLED AN APPROX 5 LATRINES FOR MORE

ADVANCED MONITORING

Note: definitely just ideally - either of these or something in between is a help!

Testing media…

If a prototype can be completed – non biological testing material can be arranged….

• In lab conditions this is initially likely to consist of:• water + soya flour in a condom• soil based replications of faecal sludge which can be prepared to

difference consistency as developed by Cambridge University

Nicola Greene is working on this problem based on her links with Water for People

It is hoped that an initial prototype device will be developed by February for initial field testing.

Timescale: ASAP! February completion

Prototyping materials budget: £400 (more if its getting somewhere)

Work to Date