Our organization has been working in East Africa for nearly 12 years now. During our time spent in the region, we have become aware of a multitude of illnesses and even deaths surrounding the construction and utilization of toilets. In the regions where we work, the typical toilet is a pit latrine. These pits are dug about 30 feet into the ground, a very dangerous process for anyone involved. Once these pits are filled (a process of about 20 years), families will simply have to start the process again, digging and filling another pit--which is difficult to do if your land plot is small. The safety of these structures is very minimal, with some children dying from falling into the hole. There is little protection from insects, odors, and disease. Eco-toilets (or composting toilets) are much easier (and safer) to build. They are also more feasible economically, do not take up as much space, and are safer from disease.
Eco-toilets require no water, which is a great option in a place with a limited water supply and no waste treatment facilities. Instead, eco-toilets capture nutrients in human excreta as humanure. Human excrement is covered with sawdust and ash to support aerobic processing, absorb liquids, and reduce odor. Rapid aerobic composting consists of thermophilic decomposition in which bacteria that thrive at high temperatures break down the waste into its components, some of which are consumed in the process, reducing volume and eliminating potential pathogens. As opposed to the pit latrines, eco-toilets protect groundwater from nutrient or pathogen contamination and provide optimal nutrient recycling.
This last summer, two of our development workers (Josh Kurtz and Cameron Kagay), began thinking about constructing an eco-toilet on Lawrence Ssemakula’s land. His family had been sharing a toilet with a neighbor, and because their land plot was very small, did not have the space to dig a pit latrine. After educating Ssemakula about eco-toilets, he began asking us when we were going to help him build one! After helping in the construction and studying the process, Ssemakula is now the proud owner of the first eco-toilet in his village. Below he shares an update on the toilet, 6 months out from its construction.
Making a toilet can be such a tough task--not only manually, but also financially. Here in Uganda, digging a pit latrine is quite expensive. Each foot can range between 3000 and 4000 Uganda Shillings. As if that is not enough, the construction materials are expensive too. The deep pit is also such a huge threat to human life, among other things.
Today my family is enjoying the benefits of an eco-toilet. The structure has held up perfectly, withstanding all weather conditions. The toilet has no bad odors. We recently noticed three days of bad odor but discovered that we hadn’t been balancing the wood chips and the ash well enough. There are completely no bugs. Our eco-toilet is accessible to a disabled person, as it is a sit-down toilet.
My family adjusted pretty fast to this toilet. One can only be bothered during cold days and mornings when the seat is cold. This toilet has been a blessing to us and now we wait for the time we shall shovel out the manure for the garden. A large number of people have been asking us many questions about the toilet, and we have been educating others, including the town council and health inspectors. They liked it for its hygienic conditions, cost-effectiveness, environmentally friendly nature, and limited space consumption. This is a good option for the people of Bombo Town, Uganda, and other areas like it.
Written by Lawrence Ssemakula
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