Ecological Toilets

Water pollution is a serious problem affecting the communities of Ecuador and many other parts of the world, and one of the principle sources of contamination is the human excrement in wastewater. Almost all communities of Ecuador, including major cities, lack wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, the fermentation of human excrement in water emits methane, a significant Greenhouse Gas that causes Global Climate Disruption.

However, an alternative does exist: the Ecological Dry Toilet (www.ecosanres.org). In this system, urine and feces are kept separate. Urine contains nitrogen and can immediately act as a fertilizer, since it does not transmit any diseases once dispersed on the soil. Feces, in contrast, carry many diseases and must be treated before being used as plant fertilizer. In this system, feces are kept dry, thus avoiding methane emissions, and by fertilizing plants we help them to sequester carbon and further contribute to reduction of Greenhouse Gases. Applied on a large enough scale, Ecological Dry Toilets would make a significant contribution to controlling Global Climate Disruption.

In addition to combating climate change, Ecological Dry Toilets prevent the pollution and wastage of water. In many communities, not only does wastewater treatment not exist, but proper toilets are often lacking as well. It is a sad truth that human feces often go directly into the same waterways that are used to collect water, or are scattered on the soil that people inhabit and farm. Ecological Dry Toilets can combat this problem by providing people with a means to prevent human feces from circulating in their environment. In terms of destruction of disease organisms, this dry system is safer and more efficient than any water-based system.

Advantages:

• Water is not needed.
• There is no water pollution.
• Chemicals are not needed
• There is no odor nor bugs.
• 100% of pathogens are eliminated.
• Nutrients can return to the soil.
• Antibiotics and hormones are not emitted into waterways.
• Helps mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Decentralized and easy to implement in any setting.
• Easy management.