6. Stories from the field: a review of practices

Stopping open defecation in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, a community-led total sanitation approach (CLTSA) concentrates on empowering local people to analyse the extent and risk of environmental pollution from open defecation and to construct toilets without external subsidies.

This intervention eradicated open defecation in many villages, as men and women come to appreciate the benefits of owning a toilet. Villagers have started to design their own toilets, innovating with appropriate technology and producing a variety of low-cost models. A participatory approach proved a catalyst for community participation, autonomy and self-reliance especially in promoting hygiene practices.

Micro-credit funding has been used for collective latrine construction, while private entrepreneurs and “village sanitation engineers”, have developed low-cost simplified latrines. The impacts on livelihoods range from a better ability to work (or go to school) because of lower levels of illness, to farmers getting higher prices at markets.

Ecological Sanitation in Malawi

Since early 2001, 250 eco-latrines have been constructed by small-scale private sector organisations using a social marketing approach at Embangweni in the Northern Region of Malawi. Besides being durable, cheap and easy to build, ecological latrines generate an easy to handle and rich compost. A variety of ecological toilets has been built, including the ArborLoo, the Fossa Alterna and the Skyloo, in a community where families were already accustomed to planting banana trees on their old latrine pits.

The Central Church of Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), in partnership with WaterAid, initially worked with enthusiastic members of the community. When people saw the power of human waste as a fertilizer they quickly made the economic link with increased crop production and the economic benefits that this would bring.

As well as increasing crops for sale and reducing the need for expensive fertilizers, the latrine programme and a heightened interest in domestic hygiene has reduced levels of oral-faecal transmitted disease.

As demand grows beyond the capacity of the project to meet it, eco-sanitation has become self promoting within the area, raising the possibility of a sustainable programme that continues after subsidies and external support have been withdrawn.

The Condominium Sewer System in Brazil

Since a condominium sewer system was installed in periurban Natal, Brazil, these have become the norm for periurban areas. They are up to 75% cheaper than conventional systems due to simplified pipeline and tubes, a need for smaller quantities of materials and easier ground levelling. The idea here is that communities see themselves as ‘condominiums’ with a common interest in making a communal sewer system work.

As well as contributing to dignity, poverty reduction, health improvements and environmental protection, the system contributes to solid waste recycling. In a household-centred approach, women participate in operation and maintenance, and in separating solids that might enter the system.

Poor households represent 100% of all new sewer connections in the last decade in many cities. Instead of being marginalised, they are now consumers. Neighbourhoods take responsibility for operating and maintaining facilities. Decision-making concerning the technology and level of service is done in collaboration with residents and sanitation staff are trained in working with poor neighbourhoods.

Women have developed income generating activities by separating solid waste for recycling and selling. Households upgrade their homes in a variety of ways, as the home area is now cleaner.