Low cost solutions for water and sanitation

Content Table

It is a major challenge to “halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation” (MDG 7). Only through a considerable increase in the construction and improvement of water supply and sanitation facilities, can the MDG target be achieved.

The two booklets presented below - "Smart Water Solutions" and "Smart Sanitation Solutions" - give examples of household and community-based water supply and sanitation solutions that have proven effective and affordable. It illustrates a range of innovative technologies that have already helped thousands of poor families to improve their lives.

The booklets are a collaborative effort by several organizations: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, Netherlands Water Partnership, PRACTICA Foundation, Simavi, Partners for Water, AGROMISA, the Dutch National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), Aqua for All, WASTE advisers on urban environment and development.

Smart Water Solutions

The technologies described in the booklet "Smart Water Solutions" are:

Wells

  • Baptist / Emas well drilling
  • Rota-sludge well drilling
  • Stone-hammer well drilling
  • Bamboo screens

Pumps

  • Treadle pumps
  • Rope pumps
  • PVC pumps / Deep well pumps
  • Fuel efficient motor pumps
  • Motorised deep well pumps
  • Horse and wind powered pumps

Storage / recharge

  • Underground tanks
  • Austra-Nica wire-cement tanks
  • Plastic lined tanks

Irrigation

  • Lay-flat hose
  • Spray-head
  • Pepsi drip / Easy drip
  • Nica drip

Treatment

  • SODIS (Solar Disinfection)
  • CSP (Ceramic Silver impregnated Pot) filter
  • Safe Water Systems

Smart Sanitation Solutions

The technologies described in the booklet "Smart Sanitation Solutions" are:

Toilets

  • Dry toilets
  • Dry urine diversion toilets
  • Pour fl ush slabs
  • Waterless urinals

Collection

  • Fossa Alterna
  • Oil drums and containers
  • Vaults and chambers

Transportation

  • Cartage system
  • MAPET and Vacutug system
  • Settled sewerage (small diameter)

Treatment

  • Co-composting
  • Dehydration
  • Planted soil fi lter
  • Anaerobic digestion

Using sanitation products

  • Intermezzo “The need to recover phosphorous from excreta”
  • Compost as soil conditioner
  • Human urine as fertiliser
  • Biogas as source of energy

Related Articles

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References

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Reference 2
Reference 3

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