A workshop on ecological sanitation conducted in Tuticorin

A workshop on ‘ecological sanitation for Tuticorin’ organised by Eco Solutions, a non-governmental organisation based at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala was held in the City on 8th September.

The programme was aimed at sensitising the different stakeholders including various government departments involved in sanitation projects on the importance of sanitation as an eco-solution.

Paul Calvert, Director, Eco Solutions, explained the functioning of dry compost urine-diverting toilet systems developed by the group, which were installed across the country under Ecosan project. “We have established 550 such toilet systems in Tuticorin district so far.”

According to him, the eco-toilets would destroy pathogens by keeping them contained until they were destroyed.

Besides, the system would help recycle human urine and faeces as fertilizers. He said that eco-toilets would minimise the usage of water since ash, soil, lime or biomass residues were used to cover fresh faeces and leave them odourless, thus enhancing water security in the country. The covering layer would aid decomposition or dehydration and kill the germs in the faeces.

Joint Director of Health S. Subbulakshmi, the Personal Assistant (Agriculture) to Collector Chandrasekaran and senior officials from health and allied departments attended the programme.

The participants were taken out on a field visit to villages in the district where eco-toilets had been established to demonstrate their functioning.