Sanitation and Cleanliness for a Healthy Environment 27
Toilet choices
In the rest of this booklet, we describe several kinds of toilets that can be built using
local resources. No one toilet design is right for every community or household, so it
is important to understand the benefits of each choice.
Note: These drawings show toilets with no doors so you can see inside them.
Simple compost toilet for
tree planting
A shallow pit, a platform, and
a movable shelter.Best in
places where people wish to
plant trees and can manage a
movable toilet. (See page 35.)
Urine-diverting dry toilet
An above-ground structure with two
chambers, a toilet bowl that separates
urine and feces, and a pipe that diverts
urine. Best in places where people will
use treated human waste as fertilizer,
and where the ground water is high or
there is risk of flooding. (See page 37.)
2 pit compost toilet
2 shallow pits, a platform,
and a light, movable shelter
or a permanent shelter big
enough for both pits. Best
in places where people will
use treated human waste as
fertilizer. (See page 36.)
Pour-flush toilet
A water-seal trap, a platform,
1 or 2 deep pits, and a
shelter. Best in places with
deep groundwater and where
people use water for anal
washing after using the
toilet. (See page 44.)
Closed pit toilet
A deep pit, a platform, and
a shelter. Best in places
with deep groundwater
and no risk of flooding.
(See page 29.)
Ventilated improved pit toilet
A deep pit, a concrete or wood and earth
platform, a shelter, and a vent pipe to trap
flies. Best in places with deep groundwater
and no risk of flooding. (See page 32.)