A project of Volunteers in Asia

Dry Composting Latrines in Guatemala

by A. van Buren, 3. McMichael, A. Caceres, and
R. Caceres
Published by:
CElvlAT
Apartado Postal. 1160
Guatemala City
GUATEMALA

Available from:
same as above or
Swiss Center for Appropriate Technology (SKAT)
Varnbuelstrasse 14
CH-9000 St. Gall
SWITZERLAND
Reproduced by permission.

Reproduction of this microfiche document in any

form is subject to the same restrictions as those
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 .Spccial Issue cjn.the Caribbean
January 1982

A Transfer of Technology between Developing Cotitries

by A van Burerk,. .J &ki&ael, A CSzeres,ahd R CSceres

.

centro Me soamricano de Estudios sobre Tecnologia. Apropiada .(Cms)

Internation& Institute for Eslvi~onment and Qweloprent (IID)

.
.

Poor rural health in the Third world is..for the rmst part attributable td .
the contamination- caused by indiscriminate disposal of farces. E&p&m+
tation with diffmt.prototypes has'lead CEMKXto pranote the dryqmpx-
ting latrine, for improking 'm quality of the environmnt and for producing
fertilizer. At an International seminar:on Waste Recycling in 1980 in
Gukmala, CENT presented its prelinimary results, .which have been analysed
for Ambid by IIEL
 Ariane van Buren, Research Associate in energy policy and development, has
wxked in Tanzania, Senegal, China and Central Jmxica. Editor of tram-
latioris of Chinese rural-tetiical. manuals (A Chinese Biogas Manual, F&&al
Water Supply in China), she WEISassistant director of the first .Intemational
Biogas Seminar in China be,Ambio 1X:1, 1980). She is based at 11~~. lo
percy Street, London Wl..

Joan I&Michael has been in medical practice.since 1929, in Public Health in

minburgh and J&ndon, and as Blood Transfusion and Industrial Medical Officer
during 1939-45; she now arks par&t&e in Camuni ty Health Senrices. She
. has been Honorary Secretary of the Medical Aid C.*mittee for Viet Nam, since
its foundation in.1965, now'concemed also &th Laos and Kampuchea(68 Pxk
I&id, London W4).

R&e&o C&eres (Executive Director, EMT) is an econmist and sociologist

with training in Europe and 12 years practical work in Africa and Latin Ameri-
ca in rural developnt and technology transfer.

Arm&o C&&ES (Technical Director, CENAT)is a microbiologist and bicchcnist

with research and'teaching experience in different fields of infectious disea-
ses, applied microbiology and alternative medicines. He is also professor in
the School tif Chemistry and Phamacy at the University of San Carlos, Guate-
mala.

CDI?E is a private &profit organisation dedicated to experimentation, eva-

luation and dissemination of appropriate technologies and information for
rural develognt+nt inthe~sowican Region. Apto. Postal 1160, Guatermla.
 .
IJtKNES IN GuATm
(XEPOSTING
A Transfer of Technology betwen lkveloping Countries

by A van m.ren; J ~kMichac4; A Gceres; R Gkcrcs

centro de EstuIios Mzsoam~icano sobre Tecnologl-a Apropiada (C-MT;

International Institute for EInvironrrent ard Dcvelopnent (\\CD)

Half of all children.in rural Guat,enula ,die before the age of five of
diseases directly related to unhygienic tanitation., according to a 1980
1
governmntd diagnosis of kalth conditions . The survivors suffer tw-
2.
thirds of the time fran cyclikally transmitted diarrhoea . Even amongadults,
3
infectiousdiaxrhoear emains the most ccxnnonform of rrorbidity .

mst GuaterGlans live in tiny cmi.ties, of which all lilt 2% have less
than 2 OOO.'inhabitants. Only one tenth'of these people have piped wker
supply or latrines and mst seldom see a doctor. Life expectancy is 45 years

- sixteen years less than in the cities - and reflects the precarious envi-

romental ad econanic conditions of rural subsistence.

The absence of sewage Or potable water supply turns lakes and rivers
into xmfqtacles and trangnitters of. faecal contamination. With the pressure

of ircreasing population, the primitive way of defecation in the fields

.
behirxd -es and in the bushes off pathways can no longer be sustain4 by
the env-t. A saturation has been reached, evidenced by the imbility

. of t &pWmmnconment
to naturally degrade an3 acccxmxxlate human waster;.
 .

v 7
., liZi Damaye 0- 50 o/,

* 4 0
-
lill Damage 51- 1002
0 Population Centers

Map.1 Earthquake Damage and Population Density

in Guatemala.
 (6)

The dry-mqxxting latrine contains tm chambers built above.grourbl

level and used in rotation for defecation ard ccxnpxting, by a process of
,dehydration and a microaerophilic alkaline degradation.
-4

All other biological rrethods of mste treatment which do not use

wtertodilute and transpxt the excreta, such as muldering and cm-
posting, process t&e urine and faeces together, with ccnnplications ensuing
16
frm high misturel=ontent and acidity . This design simply channels
the wine off to the side (Fig.1) so that the faeces alone fall into the
fxanpstingchamber.

The dry-carrposting latrine, or Dxble Septic Ccmposting Vault system,

has shcmn successful sanitary a& diffusion characteristics in its 25

16 kut is practically unknown elsewhere.
years of ap$ication in Vietnam ,
.-
.
 These labines i? Vietnam are now reported to be producing annudlly

mre than 600 Ooo tonnes of organic ferkilizer 17, which is us& directly
_--
or. sold to the State. In a population of 50 million, there is now on
average one latrine for every 1.4 buseholds in the Northern half of Viet-
nam, and a similar prOgramneis being adopted in the South. The decline
in the incidence Df intestinal diseases in the North, over: the period
1968-78, is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Decline in incidence of intestinal diseases in Vietnam (1958-78)

Infectious acjent 1958 1978

Shigella dysenteriae 12-m13% l-2-1.78

Salmonella 6-7 0.1-0.6.
Escherichia coli 4.5-12 1.2-1.8
Ascaris lubricoidqs 60-80 15-35
Trichuris trichiura XI-45 10-12
Ancylostbma duodenale 20-25 5-10

Source: Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi (1979)

-ON
: .

The potential of these dry-caqxxting latrines is now under.exami-

nationinGua~la. Over the period 1978-80, 'CEMAThas,built ard closely
xmnibxed'31~units 19 . Laboratory procedures were modified to petit
simple kut reliable tests that could be used under field conditions, for
determinir'ig'the Sanitary quality of the fertilizer 20 * These 'tests in-

Cue Cbli.fOrni COUnting, quantification of viable helminth eggs, and

g&&g& rii' entero & rgtat,;.-us
- -...-- _-..
,".;" _" ___.___
_>~ --..i--- .._._ -- ..- .--- -7-.-. ._ _ -: ..:-.-- 1. . ,._ ,.
 wlative data have irdicat4 that ill! inter& biodegradation t&es
place, unlike pit latrines (Table 3), particularly when condi.tions of
ciqmess and alkalinity aremaintained. As a result the fertilizer prcduct
can be used safely, provided its concentration is reduced by sprczding
and mixing into the land to k cultivatd.
.

Agrochemical qualities are exhibited in high values for phosphorous

(116 2 113 ppn) and organic matter (3-U%), but relatively low &lues for
rierogen (0.3-1-l%) 20. The indication is that the value of this ferti-
lizer resides in the organic matter which contributes to the form&ion
of hums and the presence of oligoelmts. Ekperimentation is in progress
to determine the role of this fertilizer in soil iqxovement and agricul-
tural praduction.

Table 3. Microbiological findings in the nmitoring of dry-cmposting

latrines-in Guatemala '(1978-86;

Pit chambers Ccmposted

Latrjnes in use by-product

W20) (N=73) W21)

c!oll~orms mw/g) 1cOocO 36 030 10 cm

Hellninths
A. lum@ricoides (eggs/gj 30 m 30 am 25 003
Viataiik~ 8i q& (%) 75 10-60 ST20
T. trii)i;tifA (% -9) S-10 10 5
.
G. lantblia (% cysts) 5-G 3 0
S. stercordis (% larvae) 2-5 2 0
Ibtmirus (% positive) 10 0 C'
Fdiwirus (% positive) * 30 0 0

Construction of _
the double chamber _.
Construgtion of the
squating slab that
‘covers the chambers .
INSTALLATION
Construction is preceded by discus-
sion of the state of faecal contamination
of the area, and the intended location,
form, size, financing and maintenance of
the latrine, with its future users.
Materials are selected from among
those customarily used in the region. The
double-chamberedbase is built of compacted
soil, adobe, brick, concrete, lime-pozzolana,
or stone blocks on a raised base to ensure
isolation from groundwater (Fig. Za).
An upper plate made of concrete or :
a substitute on an armature of bamboo or
cane covers the chambers. Beside the holes
in the chambers, a groove is hollowed out
of the upper surface to channel away the
urine (Fig. 2b). Fitted lids keep one cham-
ber closed between defecations and seal the
other shut for cornposting. At the back of
the structure, doors to the two chambers are
cemented shut while the chambers are in use
or cornposting is taking place. A shelter
made of local materials (Fig. 2c) is erected
above the platform.
OPERATION
The key factor for successful operation
is the dryness of the cornposting process
inside the sealed chamber. Unlike moulder-
 in? toilets, this d-s not require handling.
Proper use of the latrine mch day is es-
sential for mintaining 'dryness.

The urine flows into a sep.xate con-

tainer and is either diluted with wster or
absorlxd in soil, lim or ashes and used
directly as liquid fertilizer. Few diseases
are transmitted through urine in cumparison
wit\ kzc- due to faecal contamtition.

Each defecation is accmpnki! by an

application of ashes or a soil/lime mixtum
(Fig.3k), to tmsur~! the dry decom6m>sitioil.
Every x&z the char&r content is stirred

Weekly stiriing and more ashes are added (Fig.3b). After

ot biomass .
2-3 months, when.the first chamkr is alrmst
full, it is topped up with soil and its
openings sealed shut. For the next 2-3
mnths~while mnpostingproceeds, the&her
chamber is used; when this in turn is full,
t!!e other is emptied (Fig.3a).

DISSEMINATION AND SOCIAL ACCJiPTME

lztrxc costs range frun $25 ~..:ilm

ZdCJijCis ;i!<?e to 570 for concrc:~ L;clck
. S.emestraf extraction
of compost. constrxtion 21 . The pknar,: bottleneck

-U-Iconstruction d diffusion has txmne

 (11)

the cost of cement. It..is particularly difficult to substitute a lower-

grade material for building the squatting. plate ard making the chznbers water-
tight.

The technique
.
of latrine ConStUCtiOn and use iS intruduc~ in a village
by meansof slides or visits to other villages where latrines have already
been built. Courses of instruction are organised by promters in villages
&Ach show kufficient organisation and where interest has been expressed.
Over the three days of the course, latrine use and maintenance are explained
andademons tration unit is built. Each participant is required to build
a latrine in his own house and.seme as a teac..x.ard promter for others.
Participants are asked to contrtite for their tuition ($1) aru3 raise the
money for their construction,mterials; in return they acquire a technical
ability and a ‘cunpleted latrine. It-has been dmmstrated that the tuition
is also a factor ensuring full attendance " the course. '~

In samavillages the adoption of latrines has been rapid. This occurred

inSan,pedroLa&agma,wherethe indigenbus promoters had alreadyaquired
considerable experience'and success in the dissemination of 'Lorena (mud-
sand) inproved stoves. In Santiago AtitMn, on.the other hand, the initial
demnstration prototype did not give rise to-iinxdiatemreplication. Response
was slow but krifidence gradually rose, and after the first year of instal-
lation,other grcups started asking for .demonstration units at their own vil-
bgeS around the lake (Map 21, often as a continuation of the 'mreria' stove
 /*
\ l Training/showing workshops( max 5 LASF)
e
g, Comunity dis,seminati& [mir; 5 LASF)
%b” Chinese type digester ( single and twins
* Guatemalantype digester
Map.2 ’
Dtsscmination of Dry Composting Latrines ( LASF)
at the Atitlin Lake. ( 1,977 - 1,981 )
.

In 1978 a network of grcxlps developing waste recycling technologies

was organised under the MITE of REDEBIO, cmrdinated by CEPIAT and Sil~>iWlt.&
by the Canadian International Developncnt Rescxch Ctztre **. ‘i’hc i n+x~-

duction of We &~-ccqJosting latrines was design& to initiate and nor,itcr-

tits@ t33nWoi a.rd to derronstrate latrine use, thereby facilitating d&c-
.iitM$tidiL Since the -letion of > a-year project, separate families
_

,
 forward with reguests for assistance in erecting
and groups have CCXTFZ
latr*es of this t*, which they see as useful ti suited to their needs.
G0venmwta.l institutions have recently begun to e<pross interest ir

progranmes to disseminate latrines on a larger scale.

Two years gave occasion for experinlentation and consttiction of

20 demonstration latrines, 10 courses of instruction, and the presentation
of preliM.nary data at six national and international seminars. ?-it the
tW of writing, approximately 100 latrines are known to be in use. The
act total, however, is unknown, since unrecorded numbers have teen built
in inaccessible villages and by people til=, Live not attended courses. Recently
CEMXL'has tsctend& its work .to a new arei; of thg country in the eastern low-
lands where the water table is high,.the climate hot and very different
/en vir0nnWta.l and socioeconanic probl=m emeroc.
Courses are being held thei-e in conjunction with INDWS, the government's

I Institute for FUral Healthworker Training. Eighteen mre latrines have been
installed in the last few rronths in this new region, irrd acceptance is being
d-&rated by the c-ties.
.
Instruction has &LSD reached other Central I\merican and Carfibean
countries. Daronstration latrines are in operation in Honduras, and in
Nicaragua wh&e the eight of the government has been pit into the pro-
grm and accelerated its implenrentation at least 50 were record4 built during
thefirstyear. DeOCjninpjrovenrents are cont+ally being inade both abroad
and where the ori@& mfk was begun in Guaterrala's Highlands.

The interchange between developing countries evident in the cxlstruc-

tion Of drylscmposting latrines may prove uscfui in other plsccs, as a rmIe1
for the identification, design, deploylnent, ,m$ the gradual upgradin:; of
techno~egiesz+ctuaLly suitable to tb 'ItvelomM of the Third World.
 1. INDAPS (hstituto de Pdiestr&ento de Personal de Salud) Gcvemment
of Guatanala, Resumen'del Dia&ostiw'de Salud ((T-lirigua, Los A-~tes, ~z&tnl,
1980), pp'2-3. (Official document)

2. :L. J. Mata, The children of Cauque (I.ZT Press, Boston), 1978. (Dook)
:

3. IINDAJ?S
(1980).

4. M. A. Balcarel, 0. R. Orellana, Comitc N;~cional de Ibconstmccion

"El Proceso de Reaxstruccion de Cuatem,ila", Proceedings, International
1 Symposiumon the February 4th, 1976 Cuaturulan Earthquake and the i&con-
struction Process (1978) Vol.I, p-4. (Conference proceedings)

5. International Symposiumon'the Februiuy 4th 1976 Guatenalan Earthgtiake

and the Reaxxstucticn Process (1978), Vo1.I & II. (Conference Proceedings)
, ,

6. B. Salinas, R. Mceres, CEMKI!,eropriate Technology for Water Supply

and Waste Disposal, A Case Study: Guatemala - San Pedro La Laguna, (World
Bank, 1978) Annex IV p.s. (Research'report)

7. R. C&eres, J. Asturias, Cl&U, "Hacia una.hbeva Estrategia de Descarcllc

RLU?& La Tecnolcgid Apropiada y el Terrerrotc de 1976" (Guatemala, 1978).
(Pcsiticm paper)

9. M., Elnendorf, P..Buckles, Scciocult&ral Aqxxts,of Katcr- 211 :

--

Excreta Disposal, (World Bank Report on,Appropriate Technology for

Water Supply NIX?Sanitation, 1980).
10. Torres, M. F. and cdceres, h. (1979) "Contaminaci6n Fecal en cl Lag0
..
de htitlan" Priner Seninario National sobrc Salud Rmal, ~ezaltenru?go
USPCFacult6d de Ciekias Quimicas y FannacIa and CEN&T.'(Conference
paper)

11. .Elmendorf & Buckles (1980)

12. Elmendorf & Buckles (1980)

13. I Nhqmo, K. (1978). "Criteria for evaluating excreta diqmsal techniques."

Sanitation in Developing Countries', A. Imxy, editor (John Wiley g. Sons,
Chichester, p. 43-48). (Conference prxeedings)

14. CEIMAT,
Desarollo de alternativas para la dispxicion de excretas . 'In
Bicmer$as para el Ecodesarrollo Rural (in preparation) (kmu~.i

15. Anaerobic ferrrentation was chosen for zxnmnity scale excreta,disposal.

A biogas digester was built at the -quest of the San Pedro Developnt
Corm&tee, with the help of the School of Engineering at the University
of San Carlos. Costs were high because of heavy masonry requimnents
and the shortage of masonsat that tine. Problems encountered in diges-
ter operation and local acceptance have,been analysed. CEX\T has gone
01. to bu+ld Are than 20 digestefs of continous, smi-continou~~ 3, 2nd
batch tms which are all now functioning. Further information will be
available in Bioeherqias para.el Ecodesarrollo Rural (in preparation).

16. J. K. McMichael (1978). "The double se$io bin in Vietnm.," In ;;. !'xsy
_0p. cit., p-11*114 (Confer&e pziper).

' ConL- .&ion.I'

_. Ir, Cl3v~/IDl7c
 S&.nar on Reutilization of Exreta fCr InXxuoi?s Biofertilizer 2nd aiqas
Production (Panajachel, C&k-la, 21-25. hupst 1980). (Conference pg-er).

18. K. Nimpuno (1981). The Vietnmse Toil&. Aeropriate Technology 7,4

(March) pp. 15-17. OIqTial)

19. A. cdceres 8 R. cdceres, "Control Sanitaria de Bio-Abonos y Efluentcr;

de I&~inas Abor& Secas Fmiliares .y de Digestores de Biogas" (XIIT
Congreso Centroamer icano de Ingenierza Sanitaria y Ambient&, Guatmk
16-20 March 1981). (Conference paper)

20. CEM?W,"Adaptation de bktodolcgias para ei Cmtrol Sanitaria de Bio-

Abnos y Efluentes con Respecto i 10s Micrcmrganisms de Tranmision I%cal"
in OIADE-SMHbI,Manual de Biogas Guatemla, &l. CDIW, 1981. (Book)

21. SEMI'; Latrine Control Sheets, personal c ammnicotion.

a

22. CEMW. Inform Final, Proyecto REDEBIO',Reciclamiento de Desechos Bio-

degradakGs,.lD~ Grant No. 3-P-78-WlS.