Pit toilet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A pit toilet or compost toilet is a method of collection of human waste, used for composting, controlled decomposition, or waste disposal used most often in areas with no sewer system. Pit toilets are used in rural and wilderness areas as well as in much of the developing world. Many variations exist, but at its simplest, the principle is that waste is controlled and decomposed into harmless by-products.
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[edit] Types
The slit-trench latrine is the simplest type of pit toilet, consisting of a relatively shallow (3-6 feet/1-2 metres in depth) trench narrow enough to stand with one leg on either side. This type is used either by squatting, with the users' legs straddling the pit, or by various arrangements for sitting or leaning against a support structure. Such support may vary from the simplest forms such as a log, plank, branch or similar arrangement placed at right angles to the long axis of the pit.
A cathole is a one-time use pit toilet often utilized by campers, hikers and other outdoor recreationalists.
[edit] Advanced designs
While an "advanced pit toilet" might sound like an oxymoron, in its more complex forms, or higher capacity forms - commonly associated with outhouses though sometimes used underneath a house, or as a central collection area for several outhouses or other waste collection arrangements - the pit will be larger, and covered with a supporting structure. This structure may be simply a metal plate, or board floor - with a hole over which the user positions themself during use. A provision for seating is often placed above a pit toilet, this may be a simple hole, or several holes, in a board surface at sitting height. In bitter cold Arctic climates, honey buckets are used inside the home and carried to such covered pits outside.
A more "inviting" structure may also be built. Many of the more elaborate outhouses provide not only a roof for shelter, but also one or more private rooms in which the users may find a comfortable seat with a hole in it, and perhaps access to water for washing.
[edit] Ventilated improved pit latrine (VIP)
The ventilated improved pit latrine, or VIP, is a pit toilet with a black pipe fitted to the pit, and a screen at the top outlet of the pipe. The smell is carried upwards by the chimney effect and flies are prevented from leaving the pit and spreading disease. [1]
[edit] Long-term pit toilets
The waste pit, in some cases, will be large enough that the reduction in mass of the contained waste products by the ongoing process of decomposition allows the pit to be more or less permanent. In other cases, when the pit becomes too full, it will need to be periodically backfilled, and the associated structure is moved or rebuilt over the new waste pit, dug in a new location. Pits may be dug or filled by hand, using shovels, but commonly excavation equipment is employed for such tasks.
[edit] Permanent pits
Some pit toilets, which are used by a great number of people -- such as a public restroom in rural areas, or in a woodland park or busy lay-by, rest stop or other similarly busy location -- are built with a concrete lining for permanence. In this type, the pit is periodically emptied, usually by a pump mounted on a large truck which also carries a tank for storage. The waste is transported by road to a sewage treatment facility, or to be composted elsewhere. There are numerous Licensed waste hauling companies providing such service in areas where it is needed.
[edit] Dry pits
This concrete-lined waste pit is one type of dry pit design. A dry pit does not penetrate the water table, while a wet pit does. In locations near streams or where undue seepage may occur, such as on a slope, the dry pit design may be preferred, even in "low traffic" use.
[edit] Wet pits/tanks
A water privy is a situation where a watertight tank receives the waste and sends it to a central pit of either the dry or wet type, or to a septic tank or drainage area.
[edit] Hygenic use
Earth, sand or sawdust is added to the pit toilet after each use. This covers the deposit, prevents smells and discourages some fly species which might see it as a place to feed or reproduce.
[edit] Hazards/gas collection
Due to the possible danger caused by containing potentially explosive methane or other gases created by the decomposition of human waste, as well as to provide a more pleasant-smelling outhouse, a ventilation pipe or other arrangement is used to allow the gas to escape. In some cases, the methane may be collected for later use as fuel. see: Methane recovery (gasification)Regular singing may reduce the smell also
[edit] See also
- Bucket system
- Methane recovery (gasification)
- Outhouse
- Portable toilet
- Septic tank
- Cesspit
- Sewer
- Waste disposal
[edit] Footnotes and references
- ^ Drains Not Disease - Zambia, Television Trust for the Environment website.
