What is Sanitary hand-flush Latrine?

The old practice of dry latrines is inhuman and unhygienic and also leads to diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, hepatitis, worm infection, etc. Adopting a low-cost technology in which locally available materials and resources can be used can develop proper disposal of human excreta, and improved sanitation situation. Thus, low cost pour flush water seal latrine is medium solution in both dry latrines and sewerage system. Low cost pour flush water seal latrines is the most economical and appropriate technology for safe disposal of human excreta.

How to build Hand-flush Latrines?

Pour flush water seal latrine with dual circular pits (5’ depth, 3’ dia) and rectangular (3’x4’x2’) should be appropriate where adequate water is available. The latrine consists of pan and traps having so designed those excreta of 1 person can be flushed by pouring only 1.5 litre to 2 litre of water. The excreta discharge into leaching pits where there is a compound wall or under footpath or street. The squatting pan in connected to the leaching pits through a pipe or covered drain. These pits are lined with honeycomb brickwork or other suitable materials so as to allow liquid in the pits to percolate and gases to be dispersed into the soil and at the same time to prevent the pits from collapsing.

Benefits

  • There is no risk of bacterial pollution due to the leaching of the pits.
  • Maintenance of pour flush water seal is very easy and simple, consisting only of washing the latrine floor and cleaning the pan.
  • The cost of cleaning the pits can be covered by the sale of manure obtained from the pits.
  • This technology is inexpensive. The cost ranges from Rs.500 to Rs.5000 depending on the type of materials used.
  • The latrine has advantage in an area where water has become scarce. As compared to the 12.5 litre used by an ordinary traditional latrine, this latrine requires only 1.5 to 2 litres.
  • This latrine is a hygienic system to prevent odors and mosquitoes nuisance due to 20mm water seal traps.
REMARKABLE INNOVATION BY JAMNALAL BAJAJ AWARDEE 1988:

SHRI. ISHWARBHAI .J. PATEL
DIRECTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION INSTITUTE
NEAR NARMADA MAIN CANAL
AHMEDEBAD- 382424
INDIA

Email: safai@icenet.net
Website: www.esi.org.in