Introduction:

SUCHI with the support of TdH-NL working with 25 villages in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh with the aim of promoting quality life covering the areas of Health, Education & Socio-Economic sectors. In achieving the results of health among the target communities, SUCHI involved in giving health education to the villagers, women groups and the school children to achieve the above mentioned  result.

The main focus of eco san toilet

• To protect and save the precious little water available for drinking.
• To protect land, water and air from the pollution of feaces and spreading of diseases.
• To protect people from getting diseases due to open defecation.
• To recycle the feaces to be as manure for agriculture.

Construction of eco san toilet:

• The collection chamber consists of two halves and would be above the ground.
  
  There would be no contact between feaces and ground water as the bottom of the chamber is sealed with concrete.
  
  
• There are two individual pipes fixed on these chambers. These pipes would enable the foul smell to be removed and help in the process of decomposing the faces.
  
  
• Two holes have been provided on top of these chambers to be used for the convenience of squatting. The floor is concreted with cement and iron rods.
  
  
• Urine and the water which have been used for cleaning would go through a drain which falls into the soak pit, which could be used for kitchen garden.
  
  
• Out of the two chambers   only one   will be used until it is full. Later close the filled one and use the second chamber.
  
  
• The filled chamber   should be tightly closed with lid provided for a period of six months (till the second chamber gets filled) within period the human waste would decompose into  dry manure which will not have any bad ordure  could be used for agriculture.
  
  
• No technical person is  needed to empty the chamber , as I the content will be dry, ordure less will like  ash or mud it can done by any one in the family.

Tips for using eco san toilet:

• Remove the cover lid of the pit.
• Sit properly on the seat so that the feaces  drops directly into the pit.
• After using the toilet use ashes or mud before closing the mouth of the pit.
• Close the mouth of the chamber properly with the lid provided.
• Clean the surrounding with water, ensuring that the water does not reach chamber.
• Wash your hands after coming out from the toilet using ash, soap or mud.

Advantages of eco san toilet:

• Eco San toilet does not need water to flush the human waste as the human waste is stored in a chamber which is decomposed to manure.
  
• Environment is free from bad smell and pollution.
• Women and young girls ensured with safe, clean facility with adequate privacy for their personal hygiene.
• Along with the Eco San toilet an additional space has been provided for bathing  area, this helps  the women  to use the toilet and the bathing space for their personal hygiene.
• This toilet and bathing space ensures safety for the women.
• Women have gained Self Confidence.
• Especially the sanitation of the adolescent’s girl has improved.
• People have been sensitized to use it and that helps in the reduced practices of open defecation.

Conclusion:

• A small area bathing area has been provided along with the ECO San toilet that helps the women to have a better protection during bathing and their self- dignity has increased.
• Now, the awareness for using the toilet has increased among women especially during menstrual times.
• Open defecation has reduced greatly in number among the 19 families.
• The village has become the model village for other villages which also lays in the same drought prone area who needs a Eco San toilet.