Toilet terminology used in surveys Pit latrine A squatting hole in concrete slab or in pole & earth floor above a pit, which can be lined with bricks Ventilated Improved Pit latrine (VIP) A squatting hole above a pit, which can be lined with bricks. Ventilation added to prevent flies and smell. Pour-flush toilet with leaching pit Water sealed squatting pan. Flushing by pouring water from a can (no flushing cistern). With flushing cistern – flush toilet with leaching pit Pour-flush toilet with leaching offset pit(s) Water sealed squatting pan. Flushing by pouring water from a can (no flushing cistern). With flushing cistern – flush toilet with leaching pit Toilet seat with flushing cistern Water sealed toilet seat. Flushing by turning handle of the flushing cistern. Cistern can be also higher, on the wall. The pits on this page are not septic tanks. Septic take is waterproof tank, which separates grease, water and solid material. Grease and solids are removed regularly by vacuum tanker (“gully sucker”). Septic tank is followed by soak away through which the wastewater is disposed.