Sustainability-inspired composting latrine design

In support of the Millennium Development Goals to provide improved sanitation to the world, a sustainability-inspired composting latrine design based on work in rural Panama, but also applicable to similar situations, is offered here. The design is based on the three aspects of sustainability namely economic, social, and technical. The new design will allow for improved health for current and future generations. The design is less costly (economic), is based on concepts to improve the likelihood of use based on interviews with potential users (social), and provides better quality compost through ammonia-based treatment (technical). The design consists of two ferrocement compost vaults to save money over conventional vaults, urine storage tanks to improve ammonia conditions in the compost, urine control valves for urine control, a water-washing bidet for personal washing (as preferred by the users), and a handwashing station within the latrine superstructure for convenience.