Capacity Building for Ecological Sanitation in India

Capacity Building for Ecological Sanitation in India
Lic. Phil. Michael Kropac, seecon international (Switzerland) & Ecosan Services Foundation, Pune

The Problem: No Sanitation…
“The idea that human excreta are wastes with no useful purpose is a modern misconception. It has led to the development of so-called “drop and store” or “flush and forget” sanitation solutions, where precious drinking water is used to transport excreta into the water cycle misusing our rivers, oceans and aquifers as a sink for untreated waste.” (19) Waterborne sanitation systems mix faeces, urine, flush water and toilet paper with grey water, storm water and industrial effluents, usually overtaxing the design capacity of the treatment plants, if such a facility exists, as very few communities in the world are able to afford fully functional sewage systems. Simply put, flush sanitation has a dismal track record because all sewage systems contaminate the environment (14).  650 Mio. Indians do not have access to adequate sanitation at all

The Problem: Pit Latrines, Soak Pits…
On-site wastewater disposal systems: groundwater contamination possible (infiltration of wastewater) However, shortcomings also conventional on-site wastewater disposal systems have their shortcomings. Very often, they lead to groundwater contamination, which gets worse with increasing population densities. In many densely populated areas this has led to nitrate concentrations in groundwater, which exceed the maximum level recommended by the WHO for drinking water and which have been linked to serious health problems, particularly for babies. Shallow groundwater is still a major source of water supply in rural and peri-urban areas, especially for the poor. The design of the conventional “drop and store” pit-latrine (and of most other on-plot systems) is not compatible with this practice as it deliberately aims to retain only solid matter in the pit and infiltrate as much of the liquids as possible into the subsoil. As these liquids contain all the soluble elements of the excreta as well as viruses and pathogens, this type of sanitation, depending on the hydro-geological situation, can be a highway to groundwater contamination. There may also be topographical constraints against the construction of pit latrines, for example where the ground is rocky or on sites that are subject to flooding (1). Pit toilets may be a solution only when the infiltration cannot possible endanger water sources. This depends on the infiltration capacity, the distance to the drinking water source, the kind of the drinking water source etc. To be really on the safe side, pit latrines should therefore only be constructed in close collaboration with experts – which is often very difficult. Source: (4)

The Problem: Conventional Waterborne Sanitation…
…are “flush and forget” sanitation solutions, where human wastes are flushed away with huge amounts of scarce freshwater, polluting rivers and the drinking water of people living further downstream. “The idea that human excreta are wastes with no useful purpose is a modern misconception. It has led to the development of so-called “drop and store” or “flush and forget” sanitation solutions, where precious drinking water is used to transport excreta into the water cycle misusing our rivers, oceans and aquifers as a sink for untreated waste.” (19) Waterborne sanitation systems mix faeces, urine, flush water and toilet paper with grey water, storm water and industrial effluents, usually overtaxing the design capacity of the treatment plants, if such a facility exists, as very few communities in the world are able to afford fully functional sewage systems. Simply put, flush sanitation has a dismal track record because all sewage systems contaminate the environment (14).

Limitations of Conventional Sanitation
Source: GTZ (9) Unsatisfactory purification or uncontrolled discharge of more than 90 % of wastewater worldwide Severe water pollution, unbearable health risks Consumption of precious water for transport of waste High investment, energy, operating and maintenance costs Frequent neglect of poorer settlements Loss of valuable nutrients for agriculture Linear end-of-pipe technology The valuable nutrients contained in human excrement and in wastewater are "eliminated" with high technical and energy inputs in conventional sewage treatment plants. In other words, they are actually destroyed or discharged unproductively into the water bodies. The substantial energy content of the organic carbon compounds contained above all in faeces is hardly used at all either, not even in state-of-the-art sewage treatment plants. In most cases this energy is simply lost completely. On the other hand, in order to assure our food production artificial fertilisers are produced with a high energy input, using non-renewable fossil sources. In the case of phosphorus, for example, it is likely that these resources will be exhausted within the next years. On financial grounds alone, if for no other reason, artificial fertilisers do not represent an alternative for developing countries, and they also contaminate the receiving water bodies. Among other things the enormous investment, operating and maintenance costs of conventional treatment plants make them unsuitable as blanket solutions for developing countries. Even conventional individual disposal systems, such as latrines and cesspits, make poor alternatives - especially in view of increasing population densities and the substantial groundwater pollution they cause. The main disadvantage of conventional sanitation systems is their linear character. They represent typical end-of-pipe solutions, transferring and aggravating a number of problems, instead of avoiding them in the first place, and turning valuable resources into pollutants.

between sanitation and agriculture
Agricultural reuse Ecological Sanitation as a sustainable alternative Ecological Sanitation (ecosan) systems aim to: Reduce the health risk related to sanitation, contaminated water and waste Improve the quality of surface and groundwater Improve soil fertility Optimise the management of nutrients and water resources FOOD FOOD closing the loop between sanitation and agriculture NUTRIENTS NUTRIENTS Pathogen destruction

Advantages of ecosan systems: turning waste into resources
Separation of flow streams: faeces (brownwater) anaerobic digestion, drying, composting, mixing with organic solid waste biogas, soil improvement constructed wetlands, gardening, wastewater ponds, biol. treatment, membrane- technology Greywater (showers, washing, etc.) irrigation, groundwater recharge or direct reuse urine (yellowwater) liquid or dry fertiliser hygienisation by storage or drying filtration, biol. treatment rainwater water supply, recharge treatment utilisation substances The above figure highlights the different reuse possibilities that arise if source separating systems are used. While urine, which is normally hygienically safe can be used after a storage period and without much further treatment, special technologies exist to sanitize brownwater. These are described in module 3-1. Greywater usually also does not exhibit a high degree of pollutions and can, depending on the treatment method chosen, be used in irrigation, to recharge groundwater or even for in-house use. If rainwater is collected, the use of (sometimes scarce) groundwater can be reduced further. The corresponding technologies are all found in module 3-1 (Nutrient Loop) and 3-2 (Water loop).

Ecosan Examples: Raika Primary School, Gujarat
Urine Diverting Dehydration Toilet, Navsarjan Primary School, Gujarat What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

There are three holes: One for the faeces, one for urine and one for washing water. The faeces hole and the urine hole are covered to prevent flies from entering. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

An improved Ecosan three hole Indian squatting platform made out of ceramic can now purchased at Shital Ceramics, Ahmedabad (Gujarat). Anal washing water Faeces What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1). Urine

Sawdust, or even better ash is used and put into the excreta hole after defecation to dry the faecal matter. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

There are no water taps to reduce water consumption, as the school does not have piped water. All water has to be brought in by tanker, which is very costly. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

One toilet is in use, while the other is used for taking baths. The holes are covered so water does not percolate to the faecal matter. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

Like that, the faecal matter has time to dry completely. During this process, most pathogens die. The faecal matter should be left untouched for at least 6 months. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1). After six months, the dried product can be used as a soil conditioner. Certain precautionary measures have to be taken during the application though.

The urine from the toilets (urine hole) and the men’s urinals is collected and stored for hygienisation. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

Greywater from the bathrooms, washbasins and laundry place are collected, filtered through a vertical flow filter and collected in a tank. Vertical Flow Filter What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1). School Garden Collection Tank

Only greywater is used to water the garden as freshwater is too expensive. Urine is added to the greywater as a fertiliser to enhance plant growth. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1). Through proper training, the students have become Ecosan experts and constructed a model of their toilet.

With this model, showing the exact stream flows of their toilet, the students even won the first prize in the Ahmedabad School Science Fair. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilets (UDD) systems as shown in this example are just one of many possible Ecosan technologies ranging from low cost sanitation solutions to high tech Ecosan systems using vacuum sewerage and membrane filter technology. What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

Ecosan Examples: ACTS Public Eco-Toilet, Bangalore
Public Toilet in Slum Area, Urine Diverting Toilets + Treatment Off-site What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1).

Ecosan Examples: ACTS Public Eco-Toilet, Bangalore
Closing the loop: transport of urine & brownwater using a vacuum suction truck greywater to municipal sewer eco-friendly public toilet baskets from banana leaves urine storage biogas plant What is “agricultural reuse” in ecosan? In ecosan approaches, the basic principle is to ensure a closure of the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture, thus ideally enabling an almost complete recuperation of the nutrients, organic material and water that are normally discarded by conventional sanitation systems. This therefore contributes to safeguarding soil fertility and improve its structure and water retention capacity, while decreasing the consumption of finite resources by providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. In ecosan, the term “agricultural reuse” refers to a wide range of productive, ecosystem oriented, reuse options. This includes reuse in what could be considered as traditional agriculture, i.e. on farmers fields where crops such as cereals are grown, but also forestry, aquaculture, market gardening, horticulture etc. It also includes the reuse not only of nutrients but also of grey water, the organic content of wastewater and energy (1). local women banana plantation biogas for cooking compost sludge drying

Ecosan High-Tech Solutions: Flintenbreite, Germany
Vacuum sewerage, anaerobic biogas system, constructed wetland for greywater

Ecosan Training Course at NRTC, Nashik
Registration and further information at: “The idea that human excreta are wastes with no useful purpose is a modern misconception. It has led to the development of so-called “drop and store” or “flush and forget” sanitation solutions, where precious drinking water is used to transport excreta into the water cycle misusing our rivers, oceans and aquifers as a sink for untreated waste.” (19) Waterborne sanitation systems mix faeces, urine, flush water and toilet paper with grey water, storm water and industrial effluents, usually overtaxing the design capacity of the treatment plants, if such a facility exists, as very few communities in the world are able to afford fully functional sewage systems. Simply put, flush sanitation has a dismal track record because all sewage systems contaminate the environment (14). Ecosan Services Foundation, “Vishwa Chandra”, 1002/42 Rajenda Nagar Pune – , Maharashtra, INDIA Tel/Fax: 0091 (0) , Mobile: 0091(0) or 0091(0)

Capacity Building for Ecological Sanitation in India

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