WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 1 High water table sanitation Session 2 Technical options for high water table sanitation

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 2 Objectives of session Be able to list 4 of the 7 technical options available to solve the problem of providing sanitation in high water table locations. Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Be able to identify which option to apply when in an emergency situation.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 3 Group work Identify options to solve problems of pit collapse and ground water pollution? Focus on: –First phase of an emergency. –Situation when the water table is within 4 metres of the ground surface (not concerned with flooding or when water table is above ground level). Work in groups and report back with ideas in 10 minutes.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 4 1 st Phase Emergency Options For High Water Table Locations Open defecation fields Shallow trench or pit latrines Raised pit latrines Containers Ecological sanitation Pollute groundwater (use conventional pit or deep trench latrines) Relocate site

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 5 Design considerations Technical Financial constraints Socio-political issues Mandate of agency Operation and Maintenance and Socio-cultural issues

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 6 Socio-cultural issues Important to listen to internally displaced persons/users. Build on previous practices. Consider people who live near/around the camp (if any).

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 7 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 8 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 9 Water table (WT) at or above ground level (GL) Consider cause of flood? If necessary relocate site Involves dismantling existing camp and organising transport to a new location.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 10 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 11 Groundwater not used for water supply? Remember - It is better to pollute groundwater than have pollutants on the ground surface - in ponds, drains and water courses. Can use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. But only if pits can be dug.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 12 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 13 Ecological sanitation (Eco-San) Source: Harvey, 2007 Image courtesy of WEDCC: Peter Harvey or open system to soakaway Double-vault urine-diverting latrine or compost latrine

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 14 Example: Elevated compost latrines in Dominican Republic Used in second-phase response to flood-affected communities. The latrines had to be elevated, as the water-table was less than 1m below ground-level. Composting latrines were deemed appropriate as there were other latrines of this design in the area. Other solution involving desludgeable tanks was not considered sustainable. 210 latrines were built, some for individual families and some shared between three to six families. Sanitation and hygiene promotion work before, during and after the construction was extensive and latrines were generally used properly and kept clean. Source: Harvey, 2007

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 15 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 16 WT is between GL and 2.5m. Options where the groundwater is used as a water supply and the water table is within 2.5 metres of the ground level: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site; and Ecosanitation.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 17 Containers This option includes the use of: –Bucket latrines; –Packet latrines e.g. peepoo bags; –Cess pits; or –Chemical toilets.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 18 Bucket/container latrines

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 19 Example: Bucket latrines in Wajir, north-east Kenya Situation Groundwater table is high. Water supply is from shallow wells because deep aquifer is saline. To avoid pollution of groundwater people use bucket latrines. Poor management of transport and disposal. Outcome Resulted in surface contamination and major pollution problem!

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 20 Example: Chemical toilets in the Dominican Republic Source: Harvey, 2007

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 21 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 22 Where WT is between 2.5m and 3.5m below GL. Options when groundwater is used as a water supply and water table is between 2.5 metres and 3.5 metres below ground level: Shallow pit or trench latrines; or Raised pit latrines.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 23 Raised pit latrines Source: Harvey, 2007 Source: Franceys, Pickford and Reed, 1992.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 24 Is WT at or above GL? Relocate site or consider appropriate flood sanitation measures – see other modules. Yes No Yes Is groundwater used for water supply? Is depth to WT over 2.5 m.? Use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Select from: raised pit latrine; or shallow pit or trench latrine. Can a deep pit latrine be dug in the wet soil? OK to pollute groundwater so use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. How to select the right option? Site is flooded and it is impossible to dig a pit or construct a hygienic latrine of any kind. Are people accustomed to using Eco-San? Is depth to WT over 3.5 m.? Select from: Open defecation fields; Containers; Relocate site Consider using same Ecological Sanitation system that users are familiar with. No Yes No

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 25 Where WT is over 3.5 metres below GL Options when groundwater is used as a water supply and water table is over 3.5 metres below ground level: Can use conventional pit latrines or deep trench latrines. Ensure bottom of pit is 1.5 metres above water table. When the water table is deeper than 3.5 metres it does not generally conflict with sanitation provision.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 26 Group work In groups of at least 2 people take one of the specifically high water table sanitation options and discuss; Advantages and disadvantages Include how well it solves the problems? And also privacy, safety, access for the vulnerable, cultural appropriateness. Be ready to present back to the group in 10 minutes

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 27 Raised pit latrines Advantages –Allows use of pit type technology. –More hygienic and will last longer than open field or shallow latrine options. –Can be built with local materials. Disadvantages –Not suitable if water table within 2.5 metres of GL. –Moderately resource intensive - takes time to construct and requires reasonable level of skilled labour. –Moderately costly. –Poor access for disabled.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 28 Containers Advantages –Bucket latrine option relatively easy to implement. –Options do not require digging of pits or trenches. –Can be used regardless of water table level. Disadvantages –Bucket latrines require handling of fresh excreta. –Peepoo bags require users to change defecation behaviour. –Chemical toilet option is very expensive. –Need to transport and dispose of excreta (probably by burial off-site where water table depth is lower).

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 29 Pollute groundwater Advantages –Can use conventional pit and trench latrines. –Simple technology – familiar to users. –Excreta does not need to be handled. –Relatively low cost (note - cost increases with pit depth). Disadvantage –Ground water must not be used for water supply.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 30 Eco-San composting toilets Advantages –Does not pollute groundwater. –Provides useful compost. Disadvantages –Resource intensive – takes considerable time, skill and materials to construct. –Very costly option. –Only recommended if users are accustomed to using method. –Poor access for disabled.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 31 Relocate site Advantages –Enables selection of site where adequate and safe water and sanitation services can be provided. –Does not pollute groundwater. Disadvantages –Stressful for displaced persons. –Logistically complex to organise. –Very costly option.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 32 Hygiene promotion Important to promote good hygiene practise alongside all sanitation interventions. –Handwashing; –Personal hygiene; –Menstrual hygiene management.

WASH Cluster – Emergency Training WTS WTS2 33 Monitoring and evaluation Critical to carry out monitoring and evaluation of latrine usage. Monitor: –Usage and cleanliness –Acceptability of facilities to users –Health impact Evaluate and report back findings then design and implement changes. Feed learning into Phase 2 design.