Removing Waste Safely

The Toilet Building

The toilet buildings are all external to the houses in Bhattedande. Design considerations were given to factors such as easy access, privacy, security, rainwater collection, available land and ease of
maintenance.

Collecting rainwater

Given the village water supply is limited to 10 tap points and these taps generally have water available for about an hour twice a day when the header tanks is full, water in the village is at a premium.

Early results from water meters installed to monitor the water use showed the potential strain on village water supply with the introduction of any type of toilet flushing, even minimal dip flushing
using less than a litre per flush. A rainwater tank was included with each toilet to supplement the water for flushing and handwashing.

The Septic System

Approximately two thirds of the families in Bhattedande received a septic tank system due to the smaller size of land required. The nutrient rich effluent produced through a septic treatment system is used on the fields to enhance the crops, and also provides some financial relief from having to buy expensive fertilisers.

The Biogas System

The families receiving a biogas system must have land near their house that is large enough for all the components of the system, and they must also have a buffalo...