Page 182 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Management of excreta disposal
Human body excretes various wastes. Among them, stool and urine are the major
ones. They are called excreta. Stools contain various types of harmful micro-organisms,
protozoa, helminths and their eggs as well as larvae and other parasites.
It is most essential to defeacate or urinate whenever we like but we should not defeacate
and urinate wherever we like. People randomly defeacate and urinate in the surroundings.
Open field defeacation and random urination leads towards littering of the surrounding,
spread bad smell and pollute the air. Likewise, there is high chance of spreading of several
diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, jaundice, hepatitis, etc. Besides this,
it makes the surrounding unhealthy for living. Hence, it is most essential to defeacate
and urinate only in the latrines. People should be encouraged to make toilet or latrines
in their home and they must defeacate or urinate only in the latrine. Similarly, we should
construct toilets in public places.

Types of latrines
Depending on size, structure, durability and use of construction materials, latrines can be
divided into various types. They are discussed below:

a. Simple pit latrine
Simple pit latrine is the simplest form of latrine in
which a pit is made according to the size and need
of the family. This latrine is generally made in the
rural areas where there is lack of water and other
construction materials like rod, cement, concrete,
etc. It can be covered by bamboo sticks or sacks for
privacy. Even, there can be use of door as well.

It works for a year for a family with 5-6 members.
When the pit is about full, then it should be covered Fig: 40
by mud and another pit should be made in another place.

Condition for site selection of simple pit latrine
While constructing simple pit latrine, following points should be considered.
a. It should be made 30 feet away from home.
b. It should be constructed in the hard soil away from the water resources and tube well.

c. It should be constructed below water resources so as to reduce water pollution.
d. The door and ventilation of this latrine should not face towards home as it spreads
bad smelling.

Advantages of simple pit latrine
a. It can be constructed in such places where there is lack of water and other construction
materials like rod, cement, concrete, etc.
182 GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9