Is it worth considering a pit latrine without a pit? I've started working on some ideas that use a barrel lying on its side as a substitute for a pit. The idea is that you don't have trouble with soil collapsing, ground water, slabs breaking, etc.

The attached document gives the details. The barrel needs to be emptied frequently, but it is easy to empty. There are a number of options, including ones with a vent pipe similar to a Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine.

This idea is still early in the development stage, and I plan to work on it in the coming months. Normally, I wouldn't share an idea that was still in a preliminary stage like this, but the discussion seemed to be the perfect opportunity to at least start some discussion.

Dale Andreatta, Ph.D., P.E.
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Hello,
In Malawi, the corbelled pit latrine targeted for rural areas has been working well. It is low-cost and uses no cement. However, it is not designed to be emptied.

For more information on the corbelled pit latrine take a look at:
UNICEF Malawi, WASH Field Note: Going Beyond ODF: Combining Sanitation Marketing with Participatory Approaches to Sustain ODF Communities in Malawi, 2015.

Rochelle

Dear Nneka,

It would be nice if you could provide the context to your question? Why do you ask and which resources you have already searched through to find the answer?

Have you looked through this sub-category on the forum about pit latrines?:
forum.susana.org/forum/categories/251-pi...a-hole-in-the-ground

You'll find some resources mentioned there that deal with pit latrines. Presumably they also include information on what to do about loose and rocky soil.

E.g. check out this thread by Peter Morgan:
Stabilising brick VIP latrines in softer soils (Zimbabwe)
forum.susana.org/forum/categories/251-pi...ofter-soils-zimbabwe

Seems like it should be helpful.

In general, loose and rocky soils can be one reason for changing from a pit latrine to a UDDT toilet (urine-diverting dehydration toilet) but you said in your post you're not interested in the "Eco-San Model" so I won't dwell on this further.

Regards,
Elisabeth

1. Please i need suggestions on available options for latrine pits for rocky soil for poor communities, not the Eco-San Model.
2. What is the best pit solutions for loose soil that is healthy, affordable,durable, for poor communities not