Changing to Ecological Sanitation
A shift away from installation of conventional solutions such as pit latrines and flush toilets to ecosan may be promoted when there is a lack of water for flushing, or if water-logging or rocky ground makes pits and sewer ditches inappropriate. Also, pits in sandy soils may collapse or pollute the groundwater. Population density affects both how crowded dwellings are, and how much open space there is between houses. Crowding often restricts the kind of sanitation that can be built in a dwelling, while the house plot size determines whether reuse of human-derived nutrient fertilizer is possible.
Socio-cultural reasons for a shift to ecosan include factors such as the need to reduce malodour and limited investment and running costs. Improved health seems to be important only in the event of an epidemic. Dignity and status may also become more important factors as toilet improvement is promoted. The question whether to install an ecosan toilet in or attached to a dwelling remains an open issue. It is well known that the WC has gained popular support by being placed indoors, thus simplifying access and maintenance, and increasing privacy and security, especially for young females. Residents without ecosan experience may worry about possible odour and sanitation engineers may fear that an indoor ecosan toilet may exclude possible future installation of a WC.
Reasons for not adopting an ecosan solution include, apart from the fear of malodour and lack of space, a perception that it is antiquated and not allowed by authorities. It is therefore necessary to manufacture high standard toilets that are appealing and to include ecosan in national sanitation strategies.
Health and design
A shift from conventional pit latrines or flush toilets to ecosan will be more easily accepted if there is little or no odour from the excreta. Covering the faeces with ash or lime effectively reduces the smell, and zero smell can be achieved by ventilation. Transforming the faeces, paper and ash to a hygienic product which looks like soil or humus makes handling acceptable. For advice on treatment methods and reuse in agriculture, see EcoSanRes Fact Sheets 5 and 6.
Gender and age differences
Women seldom urinate in the open. But men are excused when doing so. Defecating in public is never considered acceptable, with the exception of small children. Faeces from babies are often perceived to be free from pathogens and less offensive than those originating from older children or adults. There is some concern about disposing of menstrual blood in the ecosan toilet, and in some communities such a practice poses a challenge for reuse of urine as fertilizer. In households with more than one person, it is usually the task of a woman to clean the bathroom and/or toilet. In the case of urine diversion toilets, the new tasks of emptying the urine container and the faecal bin seem to be that of males. Thus, ecosan-related tasks may not contradict societal norms about the division of duties while ideas about whether or not to recycle nutrients can introduce new values.
Expectations and values
There seems to be a common view that urban sanitation services should be provided by a city council, an NGO or some other organisation. The relationship between residents and politicians is sometimes described as an exchange of votes for favourable services. Poorer sections of society may not be favoured in this way and sanitation designs that are installed and operated by the household can be a tempting alternative for the less influential. Residents are generally prepared to pay a fee for services provided. One of the most valued aspects of a sanitation system is that it should operate securely without failing.
