Ecological sanitation system using human urine as a fertilizer to replenish nutrient-depleted agricultural soil

 Ecological sanitation system using human urine as a fertilizer to replenish nutrient-depleted agricultural soil

 This proposal involves an ecological sanitation system which uses urine as fertilizer and fecal matter as a fuel source, and proposes the design of a simple urine-separation toilet system that can be made by women for their households at minimal cost using recycled plastic containers. 

 In addition to soil replenishment this proposal also addresses the need for low-cost safe sanitation, and the protection of water supplies.  Implementation of an eco sanitation system has the potential to improve health, nutrition, social and economic conditions, especially for women in impoverished communities. 

 Needs Assessment-

 The majority of people in sub-Saharan African are depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Africa cannot produce enough food to keep pace with its needs, and per capita food production is declining. Low soil fertility, including depleted nutrients, organic matter and poor water holding capacity are the major factors responsible for depressed yields on small-scale farms across Africa.

Severe soil depletion results in a vicious cycle of declining yields, deepening poverty, and increased degradation of the natural resource base that farmers depend upon.  Subsistence farmers have little access to fertilizers, as soils decline and farm yields drop, impoverished farmers move on to clear forests and savannah, where the cycle begins again.

Fertilizers enhance crop growth and increases nutrition for those who depend on subsistence farming.  Access to fertilizers which are free, plentiful, locally available, and easily applied are needed to create healthy, fertile soils that retain nutrients, water, essential microbes and other soil organisms that promote plant growth and are vital for sustained agricultural development.  Farmers reliant on external inputs are in need of a commercial fertilizer replacement as oil prices escalate the price of oil-based fertilizers rise.  A more sustainable source of fertilizer is necessary as peak oil forces an end to the affordability of these commercial fertilizers. The salts in chemical fertilizers have added to the depletion of natural micro flora, and have increased water use.

 Sanitation- Sanitation can improve social and economic conditions especially for impoverished communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, a baby's chance of dying from diarrhea is almost 520 times that of a baby born in Europe or the United States. Poor sanitation and hygiene and unsafe water claim the lives of an estimated over 1.5 million children under the age of five every year.  World Health Organization statistics indicating that in 38 of the 46 African countries more children under the age of five die from diarrhea than HIV/AIDS.  Other indicators of health risks associated with poor sanitation are the frequency of related parasites that have human fecal origin - about 1 billion people are infected with roundworm and 700 million with hookworm.  Conventional pit latrines contribute to groundwater pollution and can be health and environmental hazards and face a variety of problems like pit collapsing and flooding. Also the need for digging of new pits once the old one is filled is considered a drawback of this conventional technique.

 Urine as a fertilizer- Urine is a locally produced resource that is free.  As a fertilizer it is effective, is a high quality fertilizer, urine is sterile and requires no processing other than dilution, is readily available, can be used immediately or stored, rapid acting, and is easily applied. Urine provides a constant supply of fertilizer, instead of the annual or semi-annual composting systems that require physical labor to aerate and require management.

As a fertilizer, urine is rich in nitrogen and also contains substantial amounts of phosphorus and potassium.   A family of four produces enough urine to fertilize 1/3 of an acre at a rate compared to the application of 100kg per hectare in developed countries -note that Africa currently has the lowest fertilizer use in the world at 8.5kg per hectare.  The use of urine as fertilizer has been studied by Arba Minch University  in Ethopia and the Sodo Agricultural Department investigated the use of human urine as fertilizer for different crops. Their research indicates equal or higher yields of maize and wheat when fertilized with urine when compared with the applications of chemical fertilizer.

 Advantages of dry toilet systems   In a dry/  urine diversion toilet system, urine is separated from feces which reduces the amount of fecal material to be handled and lowers the risk for disease transmission and reduces odors and flies.  Fecal matter is collected separately in an above-ground closed compartment that prevents leakage into the groundwater and the surrounding environment.

Proposed Urine Separation Toilet design-I am proposing a simple, low cost alternative to the existing  urine-separation dry toilet designs.  The majority of designs whether pedestal or squat style, currently utilized incorporate a platform and require skill, purchased materials, and substantial labor.  The pedestal toilet design incorporates a flap in the front of the toilet to collect urine, where a squat toilet design uses separate holes in a platform for urine and feces.     My proposal is to design a dry toilet that can be constructed quickly and easily by women with little skill using readily available recycled materials and tools.

I am attempting to upload pictures of designs.