SANITATION
Envirosan Sanitation Solutions has designed, developed and tested a low-/pour-flush sanitation solution with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and partners in KwaZuluNatal. It is the perfect compromise between ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines and traditional flushing toilets. By Jacques Rust and Brian Lewis
W
hile not requiring water to operate, VIP toilets do not have a water seal, can smell extremely bad, attract flies and are perceived to be undignified. Most VIPs are therefore a significant distance from a homestead, creating an unsafe environment for children, the elderly and women wanting to use
the toilet in the dark. Furthermore, the pit is directly below the top structure, resulting in communities using the pit as a solid waste disposal site. The pit therefore fills up quickly and emptying it is a messy, unpleasant and expensive operation. Conventional flush toilets require a large amount of water, which is not always available or affordable.
Envirosan low-flush toilets Envirosan low-flush toilets combine traditional flush toilets and VIPs. Easily adapted for use in all areas, ranging from rural to urban – including those with limited or restricted water supply – the low-/pour-flush solution is entirely off-grid. It requires no water mains connection, as it flushes manually, with a small amount of greywater, thus placing absolutely no strain on rural households’ limited access to potable water supply, while simultaneously providing a safe and hygienic method for the disposal of the households’ greywater. The Envirosan low-/pourflush solution flushes with as little as two litres of water, as opposed to the conventional nine litres usually required. This translates into a significant benefit – not only to the end-user, but also the municipality and water services authorities. Its design is compatible with a conventional sewer system, and places far less strain on the sewage treatment plants, because of the great reduction in the volume of water required for flushing. It is also compatible with a range of rural ‘back end’ solutions, including a leach pit, septic tank, conservancy tank, biodigester, solids-free sewer system or similar on-site/off-grid treatment facilities, without any adverse effects on the surrounding soil conditions.
The best of both worlds – low-/pour-flush toilets
Benefits When comparing the low-/pour-flush system to conventional waterborne sanitation systems (even in the Envirosan Sanitation Solutions’ Jacques Rust (left), technical and sales manager, and Brian Lewis, managing director
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NOV /DE C 2021
