Toward Zero Hunger Through Coupled Ecological Sanitation-Agriculture Systems

Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) systems capture and sanitize human excreta and generate organic nutrient resources that can support more sustainable nutrient management in agricultural ecosystems. An emerging EcoSan system that is implemented in Haiti and several other contexts globally couples container-based household toilets with aerobic, thermophilic composting. This closed loop sanitation system generates organic nutrient resources that can be used as part of an ecological approach to soil nutrient management and thus has the potential to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation for all), and 13 (climate change solutions). However, the role of organic nutrient resources derived from human excreta in food production is poorly studied. We conducted a greenhouse experiment comparing the impact of feces-derived compost on crop production, soil nutrient cycling, and nutrient losses with two amendments produced from wastewater treatment (pelletized biosolids and biofertilizer), urea, and an unfertilized control. Excreta-derived amendments increased crop yields 2.5 times more than urea, but had differing carry-over effects. After a one-time application of compost, crop production remained elevated throughout all six crop cycles. In contrast, the carry-over of crop response lasted two and four crop cycles for biosolids and biofertilizer, respectively, and was absent for urea. Soil carbon concentration in the compost amended soils increased linearly through time from 2.0 to 2.5%, an effect not seen with other treatments. Soil nitrous oxide emissions factors ranged from 0.3% (compost) to 4.6% (biosolids), while nitrogen leaching losses were lowest for biosolids and highest for urea. These results indicate that excreta-derived compost provides plant available nutrients, while improving soil health through the addition of soil organic carbon. It also improved biogeochemical functions, indicating the potential of excreta-derived compost to close nutrient loops if implemented at larger scales. If captured and safely treated through EcoSan, human feces produced in Haiti can meet up to 13, 22, and 11% of major crop needs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively.

A Review on EcoSan (Ecological Sanitation)

In today’s world about 2.4billion people from urban and rural areas do not have suitable access to sanitation services. In upcoming 20 years, it is estimated that a surplus of 2 billion will get migrated to urban areas, probably in developing countries, necessitating sanitation. Still greater than 90% of sewage in developing countries is discharged unprocessed polluting water bodies. Traditional sanitation ideas are neither ecofriendly nor cost-effective for developing countries. Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) is a sanitation system having a cycle of sustainable closed-loop system, which winds up the breach between sanitation and agriculture. The EcoSan technique is resource minded and characterize a universal approach towards ecofriendly and economically healthy sanitation. The primary goal is to close water and nutrient cycle with minimum expenses on energy and material to subsidize a sustainable development. Human excreta is treated as resource and are generally handled on-site and treated off-site. The nutrient contents in excreta are reutilized by using them in agriculture. EcoSan is a complete methodology. Single practices are only measures to termination and may range from near-natural wastewater treatment techniques to compost toilets, uncomplicated domestic installations to complex, mainly decentralized systems. These technologies are not ecofriendly but only in relation with witnessed environment. They are chosen from complete range of available conventional, traditional and modern techniques merging them to EcoSan system.

Ecological sanitation a new approach to protect public health and environment in rural areas of Morocco

Wastewater and human excreta are threatening the quality of groundwater and watercourses in rural areas of Morocco. The new sanitation approach that has advantage to solve the problems of pathogens of human waste at source and offering the possibility of reusing them after treatment is called Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) could be an alternative solution to the conventional one. It is in this perspective that our study made an investigation on economic, ecological, sustainable sanitation techniques adapted to the Moroccan context. Indeed, a survey was carried out at Dayet Ifrah village to assess the population appreciation of the EcoSan structures installed. Survey results showed that these structures have been generally accepted by almost all users and non-users (95%). On the other hand, a pilot-scale system composed by two types of filters (vertical constructed wetland and vertical Multi-Soil-Layering) have been installed in order to treat domestic wastewater coming from a single household and their performance was evaluated. The filters showed good performance to remove organic pollution (> 84.5%) and orthophosphate (> 68%). The reduction of ammonium were 84.5% and 35.3% for vertical Multi-Soil-Layering and vertical constructed wetland, respectively. The quality of the wastewater treated was evaluated in accordance with the standard of the rejection limit value adopted by Morocco.

Ecological Sanitation (ECOSAN) in Oasis Communities

The chapter highlights the importance of the concept of “ecological sanitation” (Ecosan) in environmental education. It also describes the implementation and management of the “Ecosan” project in several primary and middle schools and explores the lessons learned from reusing organic waste to promote sustainability in arid communities in the southeastern region of Morocco. The project planned and built Ecosan systems that recycle human wastes in five schools from five oasis villages of the Draa-Tafilalt region. The results suggest that the Ecosan system may be a sustainable option to support water, soil, and biodiversity in the vulnerable arid areas, but the scale-up of the project and adoption by the local communities will require more work and coordination with the government and local stakeholders.

AN EFFICIENT APPROACH TO MANAGE DOMESTIC WASTEWATER IN SMART CITY

The adoption of an ecological sanitation system, meeting the requirements hygienic and sanitary, constitutes a feasible and technically and economically acceptable solution in the future smart city. This new sanitation concept has the advantage of solving the problems of pathogens of human waste at source, thus offering the possibility of reusing them after treatment (recycling) in order to improve the standard of living of the population and protect the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a vertical Multi-Soil-Layering system (MSL) system to treat domestic wastewater under three hydraulic loading rates: 250 L/m2/day, 350 L/m2/day and 500 L/m2/day, in Moroccan conditions. To do this, a vertical MSL system measuring 20cm × 60cm × 78cm (L × W × H) was designed to treat domestic wastewater and his performance was investigated. The results showed high removal of organic matters and nutrients under the three hydraulic loads tested; the performance averages recorded are upper than 84 % for organic matters, 83.1 ± 7.2 % for ammonium and 72.4 ± 14.1 % for orthophosphate. The quality of the treated wastewater was evaluated according to Moroccan reject limit value. Consequently, this system could be considered an effective solution to be adopted for decentralized domestic wastewater treatment in Moroccan conditions.

Determinants Sustainability Elimination of Open Defecation in Rural Areas: Case of Bouaflé Department (West Central of Côte d’Ivoire)

The department of Bouaflé is increasingly faced with health problems related to inadequate family sanitation. This situation creates high risks of high mortality and morbidity. In order to help significantly reduce these risks, EAA has initiated a project to promote family sanitation, ecological sanitation latrines (EcoSan) and the reuse of its by-products in agriculture in several villages in this department. The objective of this study is to assess the sustainability of ecological sanitation in rural areas in the said department. In order to achieve this objective, in addition to the literature review, this study was part of a mixed approach mobilizing related techniques and tools. The results obtained revealed that full latrine coverage and hand hygiene are not effective in all households.The factors contributing to the maintenance of the status of end of defecation in the open air in rural areas, especially the use of by-products in agriculture, are problematic. However, some of the households using the hygienized human excreta (HHE) show that crops fertilized by HHEs grow faster, the leaves of the plants are greener, have larger grains and fruits with a good taste when ripe. In addition, they control several pathogens, particularly Swollen Shoot in cocoa plantations.

Pre-Implementation Perceptions Among Teachers on the Use of Ecological Sanitation and Application of Human Urine as Fertilizer

Although human urine contains nutrients for plant growth, very few community schools in Nepal use a urine diversion dry toilet (UDDT) and apply the human urine as fertilizer in their school garden. Using human urine in agriculture reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, thus saving the expenditure associated with it. Application of human urine improves the soil fertility and may contribute to increased food security among school children if the school can supply the canteen with food for mid-day meals. This study adopted a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach in order to understand stakeholder perspectives and involve them in the planning and implementation of urine diverting toilets. The data for this study were collected from five teachers’ focus group discussions. This paper presents teachers’ perceptions of the urine diversion dry toilet system and use of human urine as a fertilizer for the school garden. Only a few teachers accepted that human urine could be used as fertilizer, however, they were not willing to use it on their crops since it was considered impure. Due to a perceived bad odor and the uncomfortable sitting position on the UDDT, particularly for females, teachers disliked this toilet and they felt using urine as fertilizer was unnecessary. One of the key lessons drawn from the study is that schools, in collaboration with local governments, should employ participatory approaches to understanding and engaging local stakeholders, including teachers, to minimize negative perceptions prior to the application of human urine as fertilizer in the school garden.

SOSTAUGA project: reduction of water consumption and evaluation of potential uses for endogenous resources

Purpose The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration of the natural courses on the campus; the adoption of an ecological sanitation model; the sustainable management of urban runoff; and the reduction of water consumption in university facilities and activities. This paper aims to present the methodology, the actions and the results related to the reduction of water consumption and the potential for the use of endogenous resources. Design/methodology/approach The agents involved were the senior management of the centres, the committees of the Green Campus, the scholarship students and the Office for the Environment. Several actions have been experienced: audit of water consumption in sanitary services; flow reduction in washbasin taps by means of valve adjustment (and repair of the valves when necessary); replacement of tap aerators with other more eco-efficient ones; replacement of faucets; introduction of dual-flush (DF) in cisterns; and information to users (eco-label). Findings Water audit reached 68% of the total number of washbasins and tanks in the UDC. Efficient aerator installation covered 16% of taps and valve adjustment covered the further 33.5% and provided flow reduction of 42%. Another 20% of valve units required repair. The current situation in toilets combines tankless flush valves and cisterns with single flush mechanisms. The introduction of DF mechanisms was assessed and proposed. The cost of these actions was very low, as evidenced by the investment return period while showing a high potential for user awareness. Originality/value Both from the environmental (water saving) and from the economic and social points of view, this study shows that similar projects aimed at the efficient and rational use of water are applicable to the universities and other public and private schools, with potentially positive results on sustainability and people awareness.

Pre-implementation Perceptions Among Teachers on the Use of Ecological Sanitation and Application of Human Urine as Fertilizer

Although human urine contains nutrients for plant growth, very few community schools in Nepal use a urine diversion dry toilet (UDDT) and apply the human urine as fertilizer in their school garden. Using human urine in agriculturereduces the use of chemical fertilizers, thus saving the expenditure associated with it. Application of human urine improves the soil fertility and may contribute to increased food security among school children if the school can supply the canteen with food for mid-day meals. This study adopted a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach in order to understand stakeholder perspectives and involve them in the planning and implementation of urine diverting toilets. The data for this study were collected from five teachers' focus group discussions. This paper presents teachers' perceptions ofthe urine diversion dry toilet system and use of human urine as a fertilizer for the school garden.Only a few teachers accepted that human urine could be used as fertilizer, however, they were not willing to use it on their crops since it was considered impure. Due to a perceived bad odor and the uncomfortable sitting position on the UDDT, particularlyfor females, teachers disliked this toilet and they felt using urine as fertilizer was unnecessary. One of the key lessons drawn from the study is that schools, in collaboration with local governments,should employ participatory approaches to understanding and engaging local stakeholders, including teachers, to minimize negative perceptions prior to the application of human urine as fertilizer in the school garden.