4 Toilet Design Considerations 4.1 Hygiene This figure shows a dry-composting toilet. The design considerations apply to other toilet types.
Vent pipes to have fly screen and rain cap, and extend 500mm above roof
Provide elbow or footoperated door opener if possible
Brick/concrete construction is durable for regular cleaning
Adopt outward opening doors if land area if limited - internal cubicle length is reduced
Harness natural lighting and ventilation
Where practical, top up washing water with collected rainwater.
Provide wipe material and water for cleaning up
Counterweighted lid seals the fecal tank below Provide bin for disposing wipe material Setitng the handwash station at a publicly visible place encourages everyday use.
Squatting toilets may be more appropriate in certain cultures (see x.3)
Long-handles or foot pumps can avoid the use of hands, hence limiting contamination
Surfaces graded to ensure effective drainge and no ponding
Consider theft-and vandalproof soap and tissue dispensers
Resource • For a more comprehensive guide on the infection prevention and control in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) sector, refer to: World Health Organization. (2020) Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Handwash material in order of effectiveness: water+soap; ash; water only (WHO, 2020)
Veronica bucket
Suspended bottle/ Sink with tap bag
Foot pump sink
All-in-one system
Free-standing tank with taps
Troughs
Resource • UNICEF's (2020) Handwashing Stations and Supplies for the COVID-19 Response lists the advantages of each handwash design in different scenarios. It is, in a sense, a guide to the diverse products on the market.
Fig. 5. Design considerations to improve hygiene and limit cross-contamination. (Source: [Adapted from] : Water Aid, 2019; WHO, 2020; UNICEF, 2020) 9
