Urine diversion dry toilets in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa: acceptance, use and maintenance through users' eyes

Abstract

This study was part of the VUNA project aimed to develop an affordable sanitation system that produces a valuable fertiliser, reduces pollution of water resources and promotes health. Urine diversion dry toilets (UDDTs) simplify the on-site hygienisation of faeces and allow for nutrient recovery from urine. Social acceptance is vital for the implementation of the UDDT, because sanitation is only effective if the system not only provides a well-designed toilet and effective waste management, but also offers users a facility that caters to their needs and is sensitive to their cultural lifestyle. This study used qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate acceptance, use and maintenance of UDDTs. Key findings indicate lower levels of acceptance of UDDTs among the elderly, who are accustomed to traditional pit toilets. The users aspire to own a flush toilet, perceived to be indicative of household wealth. A dominant concern was emptying the pit and the quality of the building material. Community interventions are required that will promote acceptance, understanding and encourage proper use and maintenance of the UDDT, and may need some technology modification. There is an urgent need for increased community participation to address users' perceptions, attitudes and behaviour concerning the UDDT.

Challenges of Governing Off-Grid “Productive” Sanitation in Peri-Urban Areas: Comparison of Case Studies in Bolivia and South Africa

“…For many people the ideal for sanitation provision is still flush toilets connected to underground sewerage grids that carry waterborne excreta away from households to a centralized treatment plant [9]. But these systems require major infrastructure investments, particularly to ensure the sewage receives adequate treatment.…”

“…The hilly topography also increases the costs and the complexity for centralized waterborne solutions. Over 80,000 UDDTs have been installed under the program [9].…”

“…Developing new hygiene and sanitation habits can be more difficult than developing new regulations [9]. This can be particularly true when the norm before intervention is open defecation, which has been common practice among the beneficiaries in both cases.…”

“…This can be particularly true when the norm before intervention is open defecation, which has been common practice among the beneficiaries in both cases. However, there is a significant difference in social acceptance between the two programs, with a general high acceptance in El Alto and low in eThekwini, where the aspiration for flushing toilets is more widespread [7,9].…”

Pre-implementation Perceptions Among Teachers on the Use of Ecological Sanitation and Application of Human Urine as Fertilizer

“…Phosphorus dependency in food production can also improve the sanitation situation [12]. The Eco-san technology is appropriate for schools since it is cost-effective, environment-friendly, and provides a rich source of nutrients for crops and vegetables [14].…”