Schools urged to use EcoSan latrines
May 03, 2004
Authorities of educational institutions have been advised to avoid pit-latrines in favour of ecological sanitation (EcoSan) toilets by the Apac district assistant water development officer, Gregory Ocen
By Patrick Opio
Authorities of educational institutions have been advised to avoid pit-latrines in favour of ecological sanitation (EcoSan) toilets by the Apac district assistant water development officer, Gregory Ocen.
“With pit-latrines you will dig every part of the school but EcoSan has got a permanent construction,†Ocen said recently.
He said the EcoSan latrines were the Government’s initiative to improve the living conditions of the population in Uganda by ensuring better sanitation practices. He added that EcoSan was meant to improve personal hygiene and food security through better management of human excreta. “We pour ash regularly on the faeces and later remove the dried faeces for farming. Urine is even separated from faeces,†he said.
He said EcoSan was an approach to sanitation, which respects ecological integrity, conserves and protects fresh water.
Ocen said some schools had dug most parts of their school compounds and lacked sites for new latrines.
“One of the important features of EcoSan toilet is dehydration. The toilet has a urine-diverting squat pan where urine was diverted into a container and later could also be used as fertiliser.
“Faeces are made hygienic and later used as soil conditioner,†he said.
He listed the advantages of the EcoSan as no smell, no fly breeding and offers comfort and dignity. He said it destroys disease-causing organisms and can be built in or as part of main house.
“There is no water for flushing, hence reduced sewerage costs. It is a permanent construction suitable for educational institutions and public places,†he said.
He said the district had considered constructing EcoSan at populated landing sites, trading centres and schools as a preventive measure against cholera, typhoid, dysentery, among other diseases.
Authorities of educational institutions have been advised to avoid pit-latrines in favour of ecological sanitation (EcoSan) toilets by the Apac district assistant water development officer, Gregory Ocen.
“With pit-latrines you will dig every part of the school but EcoSan has got a permanent construction,†Ocen said recently.
He said the EcoSan latrines were the Government’s initiative to improve the living conditions of the population in Uganda by ensuring better sanitation practices. He added that EcoSan was meant to improve personal hygiene and food security through better management of human excreta. “We pour ash regularly on the faeces and later remove the dried faeces for farming. Urine is even separated from faeces,†he said.
He said EcoSan was an approach to sanitation, which respects ecological integrity, conserves and protects fresh water.
Ocen said some schools had dug most parts of their school compounds and lacked sites for new latrines.
“One of the important features of EcoSan toilet is dehydration. The toilet has a urine-diverting squat pan where urine was diverted into a container and later could also be used as fertiliser.
“Faeces are made hygienic and later used as soil conditioner,†he said.
He listed the advantages of the EcoSan as no smell, no fly breeding and offers comfort and dignity. He said it destroys disease-causing organisms and can be built in or as part of main house.
“There is no water for flushing, hence reduced sewerage costs. It is a permanent construction suitable for educational institutions and public places,†he said.
He said the district had considered constructing EcoSan at populated landing sites, trading centres and schools as a preventive measure against cholera, typhoid, dysentery, among other diseases.