|
In developing countries the estimated mortality rate as a
result of illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water
and poor sanitation and hygiene is approximately 2.2
million people per year, with approximately 6,000 children
per day (WHO/UNICEF JMP 2000). In India, where less than
50% of the urban population and less than 10% of the rural
population has sanitary excreta disposal systems, the
development of adaptable, practical sanitation systems
is critical. One approach—developed, implemented and
supported by the Waste & Resource Management Group
of CEE and UNICEF Lucknow—is the use of Ecological
Sanitation System or EcoSan.
EcoSan is technology that seperates dry and wet portion
of human waste so that what would normally be pure
waste becomes usable compost, fertilizer and even
energy. Two models have been used in a CEE pilot project
implemented in villages around Lucknow. The first EcoSan
model seperates the dry and wet portion of human waste.
The wholeEcoSan structure is contained in an above
ground model, preventing any chances of contamination of
ground water. The black water is diverted to a undrground
earthern pot with holes for drip irrigation purpose These
pots release water and nutrients that can be utlized by
nitrogen rich crops, such as bananas. The grey water find
its way to a filter bed, where plants like canna etc can be
grown. Meanwhile, dry waste falls into a chamber which is
turned into rich compost with the regular addition of ash
and a rest period of three months. Each model consists of
two such chambers so that when the first fills, it may be
kept on rest of the required three months while the other
container is in use.
 |
|
 |
However, what is truly remarkable about the pilot project
in Lucknow is not the technology, which is adaptable
to the needs and resources of the community, but the
development of a community support system for managing
and addressing human waste sanitation issues. Before the
EcoSan technology could be actually used, CEE undertook
extensive work to understand and address community
concerns regarding the system as well to create a sense of
ownership for the system in individuals and the community.
Ownership was fostered in three ways: by working out pricesharing;
by arranging meetings and discussions; and by
capacity building to understand and use the technology.
 |
After asking for beneficiaries interested in benefiting
from the EcoSan system, CEE evaluated applicants basedon their level of demonstrated interest, their income
(with preference given for those with lower incomes),
whether they have farmland and cultivate it themselves,
their willingness to share the cost of the toilet, and their
willingness to use urine and feces as manure for their crops.
Beneficiaries who ranked highest were selected to receive
one of the eight EcoSan systems piloted in the project.
Ownership did not end on the individual level. In order
to create social acceptance regarding the reuse of human
waste, CEE held various motivational and awareness
meetings for different focus groups that targeted and
addressed specific concerns. These groups included mahila
mandal, farmers, the whole community, Swacchata Samiti,
and owners/users. The benefits of EcoSan were explained
using approaches and concepts most relevant to the group.
For example, the Mahila mandal meetings discussed the
interconnection of concepts such as water source, open
defecation, pollution, diseases, education, and cleanliness
to name just a few. Likewise, farmer groups examined the
agricultural benefits of using self-produced, nutrient rich
compost from EcoSan and the similarity to the existing use
of cow manure.
Finally, CEE placed a special emphasis on the training of
local individuals in order to increase the sustainability of
the EcoSan toilets. While obviously the group meetings
were a large part of the training, CEE also trained a group
of “mobilizers and motivators” as educators and taught
the construction and maintenance of EcoSan to a group
of local masons. Thus a cadre of masons was developed
in both the villages to use skill and knowledge of local
villagers.
Educational materials that could be used by the trained
local leaders were developed, including guidance notes for
the mobilizers and motivators. Two pamphlets, “Ecological
Sanitation” and “Application and Significance of Human
Waste in Agriculture” were also distributed. The necessary
knowledge for training and education regarding EcoSan was
integrated into the community. While in other instances,
sanitation system in the region are not utilized and are
instead used for cow dung cake and animal feed storage
room, CEE’s emphasis on ownership improves the potential
for sustaining the use of EcoSan systems.
An example of the usefulness of teaching the skills to
communities was found beneficial in a recent flood case at
Barabanki. The Waste and Resource Management (WaRM)
group of CEE was contacted by UNICEF Lucknow to help
address the sanitation problem at Barabanki district of UP,
which was facing floods. CEE staff along with the trained
cadre of masons helped UNICEF Lucknow construct a model
EcoSan toilet in Ibrahimpur Village, Barabanki District.
Using the skills and knowledge of cadre of local masons
(developed under the EcoSan project) rather than hiring
outside experts, the effort proved to be cost effective and
more practical, thereby partially alleviating the sanitation
issue in such minor disaster case. It also helped the local
mason to earn extra livelihood. In this way, the project also
showed that knowledge and skills can become a part of the
community values, changing both community knowledge
and attitudes towards sanitation issues.
With this initiative of integrating EcoSan into a
community, CEE aimed to bring not just new technology to
communities, but a new, more sustainable way of thinking
about sanitation.
For more information contact:
Dr Shyamala Mani
Sr Programme Director, WaRM
Centre for Environment Education
C-40, Ground Floor, South Extension Part 2
New Delhi - 110 049
Ph: 011 - 26262878 / 26262881
Email: shyamala.mani@ceeindia.org
|
