Latrines
How
will the intervention help
Latrines
and their use help reduce contamination of drinking water
with urine and stool. They also reduce the transmission of
intestinal parasites, such as worms. In communities where
latrines are not used, inhabitants often defecate around
their homes. Rains wash the stool into the drinking water.
People can also step in the stool at a later date and have
worms, such as hookworm penetrate their skin and start a new
infection.
Reduced exposure to urine and stool can reduce the risk of
diarrhea and intestinal parasites. Children are particularly
hurt by these infections and can die from them.
What is involved with the project
Note:
There are many different latrine designs and even within a
specific design, how they are built will vary based on the
local soil conditions and availability of local materials. We
use a modified Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine design.
- A hole in the
ground that is approximately 1 meter x 2 meters by 3 meters
deep is dug in the ground. The deeper the hole, the longer
the latrine lasts before it fills up and can no longer be
used. Digging the hole is the hardest part of the
project.
- For our locale,
a collar around the hole is created using local rocks and
concrete. This stabilizes the lip of the hole to avoid
cave-ins. In areas where the soil caves in easily, it may
be necessary to use cement block or rock and concrete to
line the entire hole.
- A form to
create the floor is made out of wood planks and is built to
cover the top of the hole and to create the side walls for
when the concrete is poured. Iron bar (ree-bar) is cut and
tied together to make a grid of metal that reinforces the
concrete.
- A 4” diameter
PVC pipe is placed near the back of the latrine and gets
concreted into the slab that forms the floor.
- A mold is used
to create the hole where excrement will enter the
latrine.
- Concrete is
then poured to form the slab (latrine floor).
- After the
concrete floor is hardened, a structure is built on top of
the floor (like a small shack), mainly for privacy
concerns.
Required
Materials
- Wood planks for
forms
- Sand, gravel,
cement, water, rocks
- ree-bar and tie
wire
- PCV pipe – 10
ft x 4 inch
- Mold for
excrement access hole
- Privacy
structure – can be made out of almost anything.
Total
monetary cost
- Price varies
based on a number of factors, but can often build this
version for under $200

Latrine hole dug
and collar being created

Collar already made and boards used to make form for concrete
platform

Pouring the concrete into the form and around the ree-bar to
build the floor of the latrine

Concrete being poured, with PVC pipe and central hole in
place.

Finished latrine with a beautiful view