NGO
Another Way (Stichting Bakens Verzet), 1018 AM
Edition
02: 24 May, 2010
01. E-course : Diploma in
Integrated Development (Dip. Int. Dev)
SECTION A : DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS.
Study value :
04 points out of 18.
Indicative
study time: 112 hours out of 504.
Study points
are awarded only after the consolidated exam for Section A : Development
Problems has been passed.
First block : Poverty and quality of life.
Study value :
02 points out of 18.
Indicative
study time: 57 hours out of 504.
Study points
are awarded only after the consolidated exam for Section A : Development
Problems has been passed.
First block : Poverty and quality of life. [57 hours]
First Block : Section 1.
Analysis of the causes of poverty. [26.50 hours]
First Block : Section 2. Services needed for a good quality of
life. [26.50 hours]
First Block : Exam. [ 4 hours each attempt]
First Block : Section 2. Services needed for a good quality of
life. [26.50 hours]
Part 1 :
Introduction to the services needed for a good quality of life. [06.50 hours]
01. The bases of a good
quality of life.
05. Typical drawing of a
well/borehole area.
09. Complete system for waste
recycling.
Part 1 :
Introduction to the services needed for a good quality of life. [06.50 hours]
10. Dry composting toilet.
(At least 30 minutes)
We continue our analysis if the fourth factor for a good quality of
life : good health.
Look at slide :
During your work in
Complete waste recycling
system you will have noted the use of two tanks made from gypsum composites
for the collection and composting of faeces.
The first compost tank, correctly aerated, is used until it is full. It
is then «closed » and its content allowed to compost on site for an
indicative period of one year, during which the second faeces tank is
used. The compost in the first tank
reduces over 12 months to about one wheelbarrow-full of matter per adult per
year, which can be directly recycled in the garden as soil-conditioner. The
composted material is of excellent quality. It is clean, and without smell,
just like good quality soil, and is free from all risk of contamination.
Users who cannot or do not wish to dispose of the composted material
themselves may asked local operators to do it for them within the framework of
the local money systems set up.
Just one toilet seat or san-plat is used for the two tanks. The toilet
seat (or san-plat) is simply placed over the empty tank at the moment of change
of tank. The second tank can be purchased in a second project phase, as it will
not be needed for at least one year, probably much longer. That distributes the
purchasing costs (in the local money system without formal money
costs !) over a longer period. The same chimney (or sanitation) pipe serves
both tanks. The pipe has a filter placed at its upper outlet to stop insects
(and eventually animals) from entering the system.
Small amounts of water entering the composting tanks after anal
cleansing and washing of the toilet installation have no negative effect on the
system. Similarly, entry of urine into the faeces tank, while it should be avoided where possible, is never
critical.
The seepage box is a safety measure to cover the unlikely case of
accumulation of superfluous liquids at the bottom of the tank. Liquids eventually
entering the box are potentially dangerous. The boxes must be well closed and
made inaccessible to children. Should there on inspection be any liquid in the
box, its contents should simply be put
(back) into the toilet and the box well washed before replacement. Seepage of
liquid to the box is an indicator of insufficient absorbent material in the
tank and/or of excess supply of water and/or urine to the tank. This means that
toilet use should be adjusted to avoid repetition of seepage. Repeated seepage
is not critical, but should for health reasons be avoided if possible.
The design presented in the slide provides for a tank
with a capacity of 1.5m3. In practice, smaller tanks may be enough. The volume of
composted faeces comes to about 30 kg per person per year. We produce 300 gr. of fresh faeces per person
per day, or +/- 110 kg. per year. Composting is on-going throughout the time
the tank is being used. In principle, with a family of five, a tank might not
get full for several years.
The system described is
inherently ecological, and with the exclusion of eventual seepage to the
seepage box, safe, and odour-free. No-one ever has physical contact with fresh
faeces. No water source, surface, or ground is ever in contact with the faeces.
Once each tank is filled filled, its toilet access is closed and the contents left to compost.
Some fresh water may be added from time to time to maintain humidity and, where
desired, earth worms to favour cmposting. Composting can continue until
the second tank is filled. In principle the longer the composting period, the
better.
1.
Research.
On one page, describe an ecological composting
toilet system.
2.
Opinion.
On one page, comment on the social acceptance of such
a system in your project area, after having spoken in detail to the women in
the area. Give suggestion on how you would promote the acceptance of the system
throughout the area.
◄ First block :
Poverty and quality of life.
◄ Index : Diploma in Integrated Development (Dip. Int. Dev)
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