Hygiene and Environmental Health Module: 20.  Latrine Construction

Study Session 20  Latrine Construction

Introduction

In Study Session 19, we described the various methods of liquid waste management and discussed the issues that need to be considered when choosing appropriate sanitation technologies. In most rural situations, a dry latrine of some sort will probably be the most appropriate technology to choose. This study session will provide some practical details about the different types of latrine and how they should be constructed.

It should be noted that we do not have space here to include all the technical construction details. This is not a construction manual. Although the techniques described are not complicated, the latrines need to be designed and built in the correct way and you may need to seek out further details or expert advice if you wish to promote the installation of some of these different types of latrine. Latrine Technology Options, published by the Federal Ministry of Health, is a useful reference.