Timeline
October: Digging begins
November: Concrete poured
December: Construction begins
Here is our most recent update on construction. The concrete has been poured for the storage and retrieval under the latrine. Below is a diagram showing the current ideas for how the latrine will function. They have incorporated or considered the following ideas:
- Wall to separate new waste from old waste, incorporating some elements of a continuous composting toilet.
- Changing the access door to open from above.
- Adding a ledge and a sloped floor to assist in emptying the latrine.
- Separate pit for liquid waste
Still more problems...
They decided to have two squat toilets and one western style flush toilet for visitors, mainly at the wishes of the sponsor of this project. This toilet will drain into the liquid waste, potentially contaminating it, and they don't yet have a long term plan for the liquid waste, only an overflow pipe, effectively making it another septic tank.
They also have yet to figure out where the compost pile will go. It has to stay in one place, dry, for at least several months. This is the next step for them after they finish constructing the latrine. For now, they are considering different methods of ventilation. We suggested a black pipe that rises from the pit to above the building. When heated by the sun, it will cause the air in the pipe to rise and thus air to flow over the waste and begin the composting process. They are considering this suggestion.
Though they face these problems and others, they are capable and optimistic, and they find the solutions one step at a time. Our conclusions about the project can be found at the bottom of the home page.
They also have yet to figure out where the compost pile will go. It has to stay in one place, dry, for at least several months. This is the next step for them after they finish constructing the latrine. For now, they are considering different methods of ventilation. We suggested a black pipe that rises from the pit to above the building. When heated by the sun, it will cause the air in the pipe to rise and thus air to flow over the waste and begin the composting process. They are considering this suggestion.
Though they face these problems and others, they are capable and optimistic, and they find the solutions one step at a time. Our conclusions about the project can be found at the bottom of the home page.