Types of toilet and their suitability
Practical Action
Figure 2: A schematic cut-away view of a sewered interceptor system
(Source WELL, 1998)
One major drawback of the settled sewerage approach is the necessity to empty the interceptor
tank. In many urban areas sewerage is required to replace failing septic tanks (or other on-site
sanitation systems) which require emptying but are hindered by poor access or poor service
provision.
On-site Sanitation Systems
Simple Pit Latrine
On-site sanitation systems are
more widely employed in low
income and rural areas of the
world. Numerous forms have
been developed ranging in
both price and complexity. A
number of publications exist
that outline the features of
different types and the
consequences of employing
them. This brief simply
outlines the range of
technologies in common use
and the main advantages and
disadvantages.
Depending on the types of
latrine adopted the cost to
the householder may be
(relatively) much less than
with off-site systems and
would generally be covered in
Figure 3: A simple pit latrine (Source: Harvey et al, 2002)
one lump sum for the
construction of the facility
(although the cost of
emptying can be large in some cases). Each latrine type will provide both advantages and
disadvantages, and are generally more appropriate for rural areas. Odour, flies and the need for
emptying are the most important considerations associated with on-site systems.
A simple pit latrine (figure 3) is perhaps the simplest and the first step among sanitation
solution identified by the UN to meet the criteria of the Millennium Development Goals (JMP,
2004). In reality the variance in the standard of these facilities can be great. The JMP
distinction is that the latrine should have a superstructure to be acceptable to users.
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