Views of Press

Sulabh to provide low cost toilet tech in 50 countries

Media: DD News
Date:24-MAY-2010

Sulabh Foundation, a leading sanitation NGO which works to promote environmental sanitation has announced to construct innovative low cost toilets in over 50 developing and third world countries of the world.

Bindeshwar Pathak, head of the Foundation while addressing the World Environment and Water Resources Congress early this week, said that Sulabh would soon launch its sanitation campaign in 50 countries.

He appealed to civil engineers and technical experts to join hands with his organisation to achieve United Nations’ Millennium Development goal relating to sanitation and hygiene.

The American Society of Civil Engineers had invited Pathak to deliver keynote address at the four day Congress in which experts from different parts of the world have appreciated the efforts of Sulabh International. The Congress concluded on Friday.

Pathak, who won the coveted Stockholm Water Prize last year for his efforts in the field of sanitation to improve public health said his organisation would construct public toilets in developing countries to popularise Indian toilet system in order to ensure proper sanitation in near future.

Sulabh Foundation has already provided key role in construction of public toilets in several countries including Afghanistan, South Africa, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Laos, Ethiopia and other 10 African countries.

Along with his team, Pathak has developed an indigenous two-pit toilet technology, which is not only cost effective but can also be used in producing biogas.

Recycling and reuse of human excreta for biogas generation is an important way to get rid of health hazards.

The indigenous Sulabh twin-pit toilet, costs a minimum of USD 15 to make and can be installed in any village, house or mud hut. While one pit is in use, the other is left covered.

Within two years, the waste in the covered pit will dry up, ridding itself of pathogens, so that it’s suitable for use as fertiliser. (DD-23.5)