Public Toilets Project in Naivasha, Kenya

EU-SIDA-GTZ EcoSan Promotion Project aimed to improve the living conditions of residents and travelers using the bus station. This project’s goal is to find a business oriented solution to create economic incentive for the water sector. A public sanitation facility and water kiosk were constructed at the bus park, which is located in the town center. The facility consists of toilets, hand-washing basins, a urinal and showers. The wastewater drained from the facility goes into an underground biogas plant that treats wastewater and the treated effluent is discharged to the sewer. On average 5-20 people come to use the toilets at a time during bus stops. The reduction of organic loading due to the anaerobic digester helps protect Lake Naivashsa from contamination. When sludge is removed once a year it is used as fertilizer. Moreover, the biogas produced is used for cooking at a nearby café. The outcomes of this project are sustainable sanitation and development for the Naivasha area. For further information on this sanitation driver, click here.

Tachila Nature Reserve Trust in Botswana

Tachila Nature Reserve is promoting the achievement of sanitation and hygiene for all in Botswana. They will be installing environmentally friendly sanitation units at their new education park that is set to open in July 2012. Recognizing the water scarcity issue in the country, Tachila understood the need for water saving technologies. This triggered their mission to install an anaerobic sanitation system. The system will save tens of thousands of litres of water, which will help to alleviate current pressure on the country’s ground water reserves. This is a more sustainable alternative to flush toilets, which use a major proportion of the country’s freshwater supply. The system was designed and developed in Botswana. This supports the economy because local residents are employed in the manufacturing of the system. Tachila is now working with local and international partners to implement this technology in other remote areas in Botswana. In addition to promoting a green technological solution, the education centre will work to raise awareness on environmental issues. Children from a local school have assisted in this effort by painting the facility to tell the story of water.