[Dry toilets: a means of alternative sanitation]

Rev Salud Publica (Bogota). 2014 Jul-Aug;16(4):629-38.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: Evaluating dry toilet use in a rural area of Colombia.

Method: Fifteen families were selected by convenience sampling from the rural area of a municipality in the Cundinamarca department in Colombia. A dry (composting) toilet was installed in one house and used for demonstration purposes over a five-month period. An ex-post evaluation was made concerning technical and economic matters.

Results: A dry toilet is easy to construct/install and has environmental benefits associated with less contamination of water sources reduction and a reduced amount of chemical fertilizer. Dry toilets’ construction and operating costs may represent savings of Col$616973456 (US$308487) in the municipality being studied, compared to the costs involved in conventional toilet use. However, cultural barriers were found regarding their use.

Discussion: A large percentage of households in many countries’ rural sectors do not have a sewerage system for disposing of human waste. This situation creates significant challenges regarding environmental health and ecosystem conservation. Dry toilets represent an environmentally-acceptable solution from a technical and economic perspective; however, work is required concerning social and cultural factors producing cultural perceptions and prejudices about handling excreta to provide the necessary coverage and produce a significant impact on people’s awareness.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Colombia
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Humans
  • Rural Health*
  • Sanitation
  • Soil
  • Toilet Facilities* / economics

Substances

  • Soil