The Loveable Loo is a composting latrine.

Latrines

The composting latrine is a toilet seat mounted on a wooden base with a small bucket inside, which collects feces and urine. Instead of using water after each use, the feces and urine are covered with sawdust. The mixture is delivered to a composting chamber when the bucket is full. The composting process in the chamber transforms the mixture into compost after 12 to 24 months. The compost can then be used as a fertilizer for agriculture use.

Implementing composting latrines always requires training workshops to teach the communities how to properly operate and maintain their composting latrines. A composting latrine is an appropriate and sustainable solution for years to come.

A special thank you to Joseph Jenkins and the Humanure store for donating a Loveable Loo (composting latrine) to Aguayuda for demonstration purposes.

If you would like to download the composting latrine manual in English, click here.

If you would like to download the composting latrine manual in Spanish, click here.

A biodigester from Rotoplast.

Biodigester

Biodigester treats wastewater (used water from the home) through an anaerobic (without oxygen) process. The wastewater enters the biodigestor, where bacteria decompose the organic matter of the wastewater. The remaining water is filtered before it is released to be used for irrigation. The solids that are not decomposed fall to the ground and have to be removed every 1-2 years. A biodigestor is a safe, affordable and clean wastewater treatment option that requires minimal maintenance.

A constructed wetland is an excellent grey water solution.

Constructed Wetlands

Constructed wetlands receive water that flows from septic tanks or wastewater containers to the man-made marshland. They consist of constructed areas that are contained by waterproof liners to assure the wastewater will remain in the wetland for proper treatment. In this wetland area, plants like cattails and bulrushes create a dense mat of roots and stems. Wastewater from the community is then released in the wetland, either on top of the soil or through porous subsurface like gravel. The plants and the organisms that live in the marshland then act as a filter for the wastewater as it flows through the wetland.