An introduction to the Making Shit Count Project

1. An internationally respected NGO are
encouraging and assisting people to
build pit latrines across Uganda…

2. They also encourage people to start
business in the area…mostly based
around emptying of these pits

3. The set-up they use is
known as an offset pour
flush latrine
latrine…
Typically
brick lined
I prevent
smell and
flies!
It takes 2 litres of water
to empty this bend
They try to encourage people to start
sanitation businesses in the
area…mostly based around pit emptying

4. However,
they are finding that
some pits fill much
quicker than others…

5. This is an issue as pit
latrines (especially in
urban areas) are difficult
to empty…
So its best if their life can be
extended as long as possible…

6. What the NGO want to know is…
Why does the pit fill so much quicker in
some areas than others?

7. Contributing factors will include…
Weather
Soil type
No. of users + their
behaviour

8. I have no
water
availability so
I flush very
little water
Sometimes I
bathe in the
latrine as it is the
only private
space available
This project considers
the USER…and seeks
to explore…
NECESSARY DATA
1. How many users are there
per day?
2. How much total volume
does each user contribute to
the pit?
IDEAL DATA
1. What is the individual
contribution of urine, faeces,
water and other solids
(tampons, toilet roll etc)?

9. A ‘device’ needs to be developed that…
•
•
•
•
•
•
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is robust enough to survive a Uganda pit latrine
is not easily soiled
can operate without mains electricity
can be installed and operated without skilled labour
can be fabricated from basic, locally available material
Is cheap (ideal budget $50 for ‘Necessary data’, $200
for ‘Ideal data’ as described in previous slide)
Is capable of logging data over time (via USB/phone or
computer)

10. *~40o
It is preferred that ‘device’ fits in or around the 1.5m
110 mm plastic pipe which feeds from the pan to the pit
*Angle can be modified if necessary

11. IDEALLY…
A $50 SOLUTION WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO BE
INSTALLED ON UPWARDS OF 50 LATRINES FOR BASIC
MONITORING
A $200 SOLUTION WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO BE
INSTALLED AN APPROX 5 LATRINES FOR MORE
ADVANCED MONITORING
Note: definitely just ideally - either of these or something in
between is a help!

12. Testing media…
If a prototype can be completed – non biological testing
material can be arranged….
•
In lab conditions this is initially likely to consist of:
•
water + soya flour in a condom
• soil based replications of faecal sludge which can be prepared to
difference consistency as developed by Cambridge University

13. Work to Date
Nicola Greene is working on this problem based on her links with
Water for People
It is hoped that an initial prototype device will be developed by
February for initial field testing.
Timescale: ASAP! February completion
Prototyping materials budget: £400 (more if its getting somewhere)