Experimenting with new
technologies This year, communities across Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have been experimenting with new technologies in our project to improve access to water and sanitation in slums.
Contaminated water supplies, poor hygiene and a lack of decent toilets and sewerage increase the spread of deadly diseases in slums. Without proper toilets, slum dwellers often have to relieve themselves outside in the open, making privacy a big problem for many people, especially women.
This year, we began a project that will provide cleaner water for 1,200 families, toilets to 824 families and public toilets for 1,800 people. Around 700 people will also train as hygiene promoters to help launch cleanliness campaigns in their communities to educate others about hygiene, waste disposal and to help raise demand for toilets.
Through this project, communities are experimenting with new technologies, including ‘Skyloos’. The Skyloo is a type of ecological toilet, used extensively in southern Africa. It is particularly useful in areas where water (for flushing) is not readily available. The toilets work by separating urine and faeces. Urine is either infiltrated into the ground or diluted and used for fertilising crops, whilst faeces drop into a vault, which is sealed when full while a second pit is used. After several months, the contents in the first pit will have turned into natural compost, which is safe to handle and use on crops. After the second pit becomes full, the process is repeated.
Skyloos not only bring the benefits of a permanent toilet – including better health, comfort, privacy and reduced costs – but also produce valuable compost, which can provide an income and improve food production.
Unlike traditional pit latrine systems, Skyloos do not pollute groundwater and they do not require additional pits to be dug once full. Advanced models such as those built in Malawi and Zimbabwe also include a separate shower cubicle. In Malawi, a public ecological toilet has even been built in a market: the compost generated can be sold to farmers to raise money to maintain the toilets.
This project is funded by the Department for International Development under the Global Poverty Action Fund.
9 annual review 2011
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