Sanitation & Water Technologies Developed By

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

INDOVATION 2015

Innovation in Water & Sanitation Technologies

Organized ByMinistry of Drinking Water & Sanitation

atHotel Radisson Blue, Sector-13, Dwarka, New Delhi

on23-24 January 2015

By:

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Ph. D., D. Litt.

Sociologist & Social Reformer

Founder, Sulabh Sanitation Movement

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

Founded in 1970 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.

Based on the Gandhian philosophy.

Nationally and Internationally acclaimed organization.

NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of

United Nations.

Working all over the country as well as in Afghanistan, Africa and different

parts of the world.

Social work force of over 50,000 volunteers.

The need to branch into Sulabh Sanitation was attended to by forming Sulabh

School Sanitation Club.

2

Dr. Pathak invented the following technologies:

About organisation

Two Pit Pour Flush Compost Toilet commonly known as Sulabh Shauchalaya.

Human excreta based Biogas Plant.

Sulabh Effluent Treatment Technology.

Construction and maintenance of Public Toilets on “Pay & Use” basis.

3

India had and has the

problems of defecation in

the open and manual

cleaning of nightsoil by

untouchables called human

scavengers. Gandhi was the

first person whose attention

was drawn to find out

solutions of these problems.

4

Shri Narendra Modi is the

first Prime Minister of India

who has given importance to

sanitation and toilets after

Mahatma Gandhi.

To pay tribute to Mahatma on

his 150th Birth Anniversary,

he in his speech on 15th

August 2014 called upon the

people to end the practice of

defecation in open by 2019.

“It is our social responsibility as citizens of

India to help fulfil Gandhiji’s vision of

Clean India , by his 150th birth

anniversary in 2019.”

— Shri Narendra Modi

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

SANITATION SCENARIO

Asia, Africa & Latin America lagged in adopting the

technologies of septic tank & sewerage system as these

were not economically affordable.

Just for example, the sewers were laid in Kolkata, India in

1870 and after 145 years only around 300 towns/cities out

of 7000 towns are sewer based and that too partially. At this

rate, without further growth of towns and cities, it will take

many centuries to provide sewerage system in urban India.

Women, the worst sufferers, had to go out for open

defecation in the dark – before sunrise or after sunset. Their

dignity was at risk, subjected to criminal assaults and

occasionally suffer from snake bites.

Need for New Technological Order

In later part of 60’s, I felt the need for a newtechnological order to overcome the problem ofhuman scavenging, stop defecation in open and safeand hygienic disposal of human wastes.

WHO publication on ‘Excreta Disposal for Rural Areasand Small Communities’ by two sanitation engineers,Edmund A. Wagner and J.N. Lanoix, left a lastinglifetime’s impression in Dr. Pathak’s mind. The bookmentioned:

“Suffice it to say here that out of the heterogeneousmass of latrine designs produced all over the world, thesanitary pit privy emerges as the most practical anduniversally applicable type.”

Turning to the role of an Engineer

• The suggestions in WHO publication were for the

application of this technology only in rural areas.

• However, I thought that for the soil conditions

of rural and urban areas, the same technology

can be used.

• I felt that this technology, after some

improvement, could be a viable alternative to

scavenging.

• Keeping this in view, I innovated, modified and

developed alternatives to suit the urban

conditions; at the same time, making many new

designs for different site

conditions.

WHO criteria for sanitary latrine

Seven conditions to meet the criteria for a Sanitary Latrine:

• The surface soil should not be contaminated.

• There should be no contamination of the ground water that may

enter by way of springs or wells.

• There should be no contamination of the surface water.

• Excreta should not be accessible to flies or animals.

• There should be no handling of fresh excreta. Or, when this was

indispensable, it should be restricted to the barest minimum.

• There should be freedom from odours or unsightly conditions.

• The method used should be simple and inexpensive in construction

and operation.

Technological InnovationThe perusal of WHO’s books helped Dr.

Pathak to develop a technology which has

proved to be revolutionary.

Sulabh International Social Service

Organization was founded in 1970 with a

purpose to:

• restore the human rights and dignity

of the untouchable scavengers;

• help stop defecation in the open; and

• provide safe and hygienic toilets to

all.

Technologies DevelopedI invented, innovated and developed the

following technologies:

1. Sulabh two-pit, pour-flush, compost toilet

for individual household use.

2. Sulabh Public toilet on ‘Pay and Use’ for

public places in non-sewered areas.

3. Biogas Digester linked to Sulabh Public

Toilet for biogas generation.

4. Sulabh Effluent Treatment Plant for

treatment of water discharged from biogas

plant.

Sulabh technologies are scientifically

appropriate, economically affordable,

indigenous and culturally acceptable and take

care of untouchability. Scavengers have been

liberated through Sulabh ‘Nai Disha’ –

(Darkness to Light) programme from the sub-

human occupation of cleaning and carrying

human excreta as head-load for its disposal.

Technology for Sustainable Sanitation

Sulabh two-pit, pour-flush, compost toilet

• In the Sulabh toilets there aretwo pits, one used at a timeand the other is kept asstandby. When the first pit fillsup, the excreta is switchedover to the other one.

• Both the pits are usedalternately. In the first pit aftera period of two years, humanexcreta gets converted intomanure.

Sulabh Toilet with circular pits.

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WATER SAVING P-TRAP USED IN

SULABH TWO PIT POUR FLUSH COMPOST TOILET

It requires only 1 to 1.5 litres of water to flush

Ceramic Pan with 25° to 28° slope

P – trap is between 12-20 mm water seal

Pre-cast P-trap

The manure is taken out from the pit by the beneficiaries withoutinvolving scavengers as it is odourless, pathogen-free, semi-solidcontaining 1.8% nitrogen, 1.6% phosphate and 1% potassium.

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Taking out of manure from pit of a Sulabh toilet

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Manure from Human Excreta The manure is a rich fertilizer and soil conditioner whichimproves the productivity of the field and fruits and flowers, when used for agriculture/horticulture.

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The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space –courtyard of a house or in the bedroom.

The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

Sulabh pour-flush toilet for linear space with common dividing wall in a narrow lane16

The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

Sulabh pour-flush toilet for least space with the toilet on top of the pits 17

The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

Different Designs of Sulabh two-pit, pour - flush, compost Toilet

• Sulabh toilet design depends on soil condition, size of the family,land availability, paying capacity of the beneficiary and availability oflocal material. There are more than 40 standard designs of Toiletsare available with Sulabh for application.

• The Sulabh toilet has been designed in such a way that the poorestof the poor, middle class and even the rich people can have thefacilities of Sulabh toilets because the cost of construction isaffordable and can vary from US$ 50 to US$ 1100.

• The technology remains the same, only the building materials differand the period of cleaning of the pits. The minimum period ofcleaning a pit is 2 years and maximum 40 years. Because the pits inthe Sulabh toilets are earth based, having holes in the walls, gasesare absorbed in the soil. This helps reduce global warming andimproves the climate change.

High yield of fruits High yield of crops

The manure is a rich fertilizer and is a soil conditioner

which improves the productivity of the field and fruits and

flowers, when used for agriculture/ horticulture.

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DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF SULABH TWO PIT, POUR FLUSH,

COMPOST TOILET

Cost Rs. 8,975/-) Cost Rs. 11,835/-)

The cheapest toilet with jute on all sides on bamboo frame

Superstructure made of thatched palm matting – affordable for poor people. 20

Cost Rs. 12,655/-) Cost Rs. 19,022 /-)

Cost Rs. 16,600/-)Cost Rs. 21,700 /-)

Thatched wall with roof on baboo frame Brick wall with no door

Brick wall with jute curtain Circular design without door and roof for

people who feel claustrophobic. 21

Cost Rs. 24,460/-) Cost Rs. 27,310/-)

Cost Rs. 1,04,510/-)

Toilet walls made of bricks with roof and wooden door- more expensive

Brick toilet for those people who can afford to spend more money

Even the rich can get constructed Sulabh two-pit, pour flush toilets where there is no sewerage. The pits can be cleaned after 40 years 22

Panoramic View of Different Designs of Sulabh Two-Pit, Pour-Flush,

Compost Toilets

In the Sulabh two-pit technology there is flexibility of design which the

beneficiary can choose depending upon his affordability and size of family.

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LINING OF PITS

Stone

Can be lined from locally available materials

Burnt ClayWooden Logs Cement Concrete Ring

Brick

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Sulabh toilets can be constructed in the upper floors of buildings.

The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in areas where the water-table is high, inwaterlogged, flood prone and high sub-soil water areas where the pits could beraised.

26

The platforms on the Sulabh pits can be used for a variety

of purposes like cooking, chopping fish, chaffing grains

and running a small shop

27

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Advantages of Sulabh Toilets Hygienically and technically appropriate and socio-culturally

acceptable.

Affordable and easy to construct with locally available

materials.

Design and specifications can be modified to suit

householder's needs and affordability.

Eliminates mosquito, insect and fly breeding.

Can be constructed in different physical, geological and

hydrogeological conditions

Free from health hazards and does not pollute surface or

ground water, if proper precautions and safeguards are taken

during construction.

Can be located within the premises as it is free from foul smell

and fly/mosquito nuisance etc.

Can be constructed on upper floors of houses.

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Pits are generally designed for 3-year desludginginterval, but if desired, it can be designed for longerperiods or it can be reduced even to two years.

Maintenance is easy, simple and costs very little.

Needs only 1 liter of water for flushing, whileconventional flush toilet needs 10 liter of water.

Needs less space than a septic tank toilet system.

Does not need scavengers for cleaning the pits ordisposal of sludge. This can be done by thehouseholder.

Makes available rich fertilizer and soil conditioner.

Can be easily connected to sewers when introducedin the area.

A low volume flushing cistern could be attached toavoid pour flushing.

The Sulabh two-pit toilet is free from all health hazards and does notpollute ground water or drinking water sources like hand pumps, wellsetc. if proper precautions are taken in its construction.

A Sulabh toilet can be constructed at a distance of 30 feet from a well ora 15 feet from a hand-pump and no distance is required if there isprovision of piped water supply.

If there is a space constraint, then the well nearby should be plasteredfrom inside up to 30 feet, so that there is no chance of pollution.

30

Hand-pump WellSulabh two-pit, pour flush, compost toilet

15 feet30 feet

Prevention from Contamination of Ground Water

Sulabh Shauchalaya

(Two Pit Pour Flush

Compost Toilet

at

Hirmathla

(Haryana)

Total Cost Rs. 15000/-

Rs. 12,000/- Railtel

Corporation

Rs. 3,000/- Beneficiary

Contribution

Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by

Sulabh in the villages of Haryana

31

Sulabh Shauchalaya

(Two-pit, pour-flush

compost toilet)

Cost

(Rs. 22,000/-.

Now Rs. 36,013/- )

Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by

Sulabh in the villages of Bihar

32

Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by

Sulabh in the villages of Jharkhand

Sulabh Shauchalaya

(Two-pit, pour-flush

compost toilet

at Jharkhand)

Cost

(Rs. 30,000/-.

Now Rs. 35,800/-)

33

Sulabh Shauchalaya

(Two Pit Pour Flush

Compost Toilet)

Cost Rs. 18,500/-

Cost borne by the State

Government of Punjab.

Now Rs. 21,820/-

Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed

by Sulabh in the villages of Punjab

34

35

Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya

constructed by Sulabh in the

villages of Punjab

Contacting the house-owners to

convince and persuade them for the

conversion of dry latrines into Sulabh

Shauchalayas (toilets) or new toilets.

Processing of forms by Local Bodies.

Sulabh workers complete the

construction of toilets based on the

choice of the houseowner selected

from a wide range of design options.

Certificate of completion is given by

the beneficiaries.

With this strategy 1.2 million toilets

have been constructed by Sulabh.

36

Methodology and delivery system adopted by Sulabh for construction of toilets

Septic tank – inherent problem

Require more space. The construction needs regular

technical assistance and supervision.

Needs ventilation, which adds to cost.

De-sludging of septic tank needed on regular basis. The sludge and effluent from a septic tank can not be used as a fertilizer straight away without causing health hazards.

De-sludging of septic tank is not done regularly thereby causing health hazards and add to environmental problems.

In 1973, Dr. Pathak introduced the system

of maintenance of public toilets on “pay

and use” basis. Initially there were

skeptical views about its success.

But on the very first day 500 people used

the public toilet in Patna, Bihar.

However it took several years to convince

the Government and the people.

Earlier people were not habituated to

paying for the use of public toilets.

In Sulabh public toilet complexes with

attached biogas digesters, the gases are

put to different uses like cooking,

warming, lighting or power generation.

More than 8000 community based pay

and use toilet are maintained by Sulabh

presently.

Public Toilet Complexes

AMENITIESINSIDE

SULABH TOILET COMPLEXES

Cloak room facility at Sulabh Toilet Complex, Shirdi, Nasik, Maharashtra

40

Inside View – ‘Dormitory’ Sulabh Toilet Complex at Deoghar, Jharkhand.

Facilities for lockers for keeping belongings, safe drinking water,telephone facilities, night shelter, health centre, etc. areprovided in Sulabh toilet complexes.

Wash Basin for Hand Wash – Inside view of Sulabh Toilet Complex, Delhi.

Hand Drier facility – Ethiopian Ambassador to India, Her Excellency Ms. Genet Zewide using the facility at Panch Batti Sulabh Toilet Complex at Jaipur, Rajasthan.

•Public toilets are now working as Public health centers. We have installed condomvending machines and are providing condoms to check population growth anddiseases like HIV/AIDS.

HEALTH & HYGIENE

44Inside View - Sulabh Toilet Complex, Taj Mahal, Agra

45Sulabh Toilet Complex at Donapaula, Panji, Goa.

46A view of Sulabh Toilet Complex at Sanaganeri Gate, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Sulabh Toilet Complex – New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi.

Even when the temperature in Kabul went down to -30 C in 2007, these biogas plantsworked very well. Hence this technology is suitable for both cold as well as warmclimates 48

Sulabh Toilet Complex at Kabul, Afghanistan

49Child friendly Toilet known as “Bal Mitra Sauchalaya” - Inside view, Bhopal, India

ENERGY FROM WASTE

Recycling and Reuse of Human Waste

Dr. Pathak developed another technology for complete recyclingof human excreta through biogas generation and on-sitetreatment of effluents through a simple and convenienttechnology for its safe reuse without health or environmental risk.

51

Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) System

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Public Toilet linked to Biogas Digester and Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) device

•The water discharged is treated by passing it throughsedimentation chamber, sand filter, aeration tank, charcoal andthrough ultra violet rays.

• The effluent discharged from public toilet, after treatment, becomes sopure that its Biochemical Oxygen Demand is less than ten milligram perlitre.

•This water is safe for discharge into rivers or water bodies, withoutpolluting them. This also prevents pollution from the sewage. It can also beused for cleaning of floors of public toilets.

• Both these technologies are suitable for market places, housing colonies,high-rise buildings, public places, schools, colleges, hospitals etc.

Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) System

Human Excreta Based Biogas Digester Linked To A Public Toilet Complex

54

Human excreta based Biogas Technology

From public toilets human excreta goes inside thedigester and biogas is produced without any chemical,bacteria or change agents. Only 10-20 kgs. of cow dung isrequired to be put inside the digester on the first day ofuse. The biogas produced is then channelized for lightingmantle lamps, warming oneself in winters, cooking andalso for conversion into energy for street lighting.

Biogas used to warm oneself in winter

Uses of Biogas

Biogas used for lighting of mantle lamps

56His Excellency Timothy J. Roemer former, Ambassador of

USA to India trying his hand in frying a papadam

Ignition of compressed biogas is done through battery operated spark systemand run 100% on biogas.

Biogas used for electricity generation

Sulabh Effluent Treatment Plant

58

Biogas effluent treated through sedimentation tank, aeration tank, sand filter, activated

charcoal followed by Ultra Violet (UV) rays.

After the treatment the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) reduced to less than 10

milligram per litre.

Treated effluent turns colourless, odourless and pathogen-free. Can be used as liquid

manure.

Safe for aquaculture, agriculture, gardening & discharging into water body.

The water from Sulabh Toilet is also treated through

Ultra Violet filter and the BOD in this water is less

than 10 which is good for use in the field or to

discharge in river bodies.

59

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PUBLIC TOILET LINKED TO BIOGAS DIGESTER AND SULABH EFFLUENT TREATMENT (SET) DEVICE

The water discharged is treated by passing it throughsedimentation chamber, sand filter, aeration tank, charcoal andthrough ultra violet rays.

The BBC World

News Series,

Horizons has

featured Sulabh

technology amongst

the five inventions

of the world.

61

How one simple solution is already bringing better sanitation to

an estimated 10 million people a day.

Dr. Pathak and Ms. Ragini Vaidyanathan of the BBC at the human excreta based biogas plant a Sulabh technology at Sulabh Gram

Duckweed Based Waste Water Treatment

• This waste water treatment is suitable for population less than one lac.

•A fast growing free floating plant.

• Reduces BOD,COD of waste water.

• Contains up to 30 % protein.

62

•Complete feed for fish.

• In duckweed treated water fish is grown.

• 8-10 tons of fish per ha. of pond/annum can be harvested

63

contd....

3. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Water Hyacinth

• Water Hyacinth is anaquatic, seasonal weed andthe advantage of this weed isthat –

• It is a good substrate forbiogas generation.

65

• Biogas is non functional in summer due to nonavailability of water hyacinth. The biogas can beproduced throughout the year by harvesting, dryingand pulverising this weed.

• The biogas generation shows better result when fedwith dried water hyacinth and increase the gasproduction.

Sulabh Thermophilic Aerobic Composting (STAC)Technology for Solid Waste Management

•A plant of GI sheet having double wall filled with glass wool, partitioned with perforated sheet into three chambers.

•Requires 8 – 10 days to make compost from any biodegradable waste.

•No manual handling.

•It functions at low temperature alsoMore suitable for housing colonies, hostels, hilly areas. 66

67

The benefits of this technology :

• Organic solid waste can be efficiently converted intomanure and soil conditioner, giving economic return.

• It can control diseases transmitted from waste; as athigh temperature pathogens are eliminated from it.

•Due to a reduction in volume, cartage costs of waste to disposal sites or for land filling will be greatly reduced.

• Spread of weeds from waste will also be controlled.

contd…

STAC– Maklorganj (Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh) Project

68

Vermi-Composting

69

• It is the end product of thebreakdown of organic matterby some species ofearthworm.

• Vermi-compost is a nutrientrich natural fertilizer and soilconditioner.

• The process of producingvermi-compost is calledvermi-composting.

70

Benefits of Composting

• Direct employment in composting

• Economic gain through sale ofcompost & earth-worms

• Reduce dependency on chemicalfertilizer for agriculture purpose

• Reduce the expenditure ofMunicipal body on transportation ofSolid Wastes.

• Reduce the need for new landfill site

• Prevention of pollution caused bySolid waste

• Reduce green house gas.

Compost ready to use

The project is a Pilot Project of Sulabh International with

the aim to ensure arsenic-free safe drinking water at a very

low expenditure at only a cost of 50 paise per litre.

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and

Social Reform Movement inaugurating the “Water

Treatment Plant” as part of Sulabh Safe Drinking Water

Project in Madhusudankati Gram, Kolkata.

Water from the ponds or

the river is pumped into

over-head reservoir into a

flocculating tank where

chemicals (alum and

bleaching powder) are

mixed to settle. Water is

then passed through a

slow sand filter. Filtered

water is then collected in a

clear water reservoir, from

where the water is passed

through fine membranes of

varying size (60µ, 40µ, 10µ,

1µ). Then water treated

with UV ray to make it

totally bacteria free.

SULABH DRINKING WATER ATM

IMPORTANT

ACTIVITIES –

SWACHH BHARAT

ABHIYAN

CLEAN INDIA CAMPAIGN –Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the

“Swacch Bharat Campaign” on October 2, 2014 in which Sulabh also

participated with a large number of its volunteers sweeping the roads.

THREE DAYS INTERNATIOANL TOILET

FESTIVAL ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD

TOILET DAY FROM NOVEMBER 18-20, 2014

LET’S JOIN HANDS FOR A ‘SWACHCH BHARAT’

The first destination of the Sulabh Swacchta Rath that was flagged off at the gala

celebrations of World Toilet Day at the Constitution Club, Connaught Place, New

Delhi was a Hirmathla village in Mewat, Haryana. The Rath is equipped with the

audio-visual gadgets and is expected to travel across the country, taking with it a

message related to the importance of toilets.

SULABH SWACCHTA RATH

HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI LAUDS

CLEANING AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC ASSI GHAT

Sulabh International Social Service OrganisationSulabh Gram, Mahavir Enclave

Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi-110 045, IndiaTel. No. : 91-11-25031518, 25031519; Fax : 91-11-25034014

Email : sulabhinfo@gmail.com / sulabhinfo1@gmail.com

Website : www.sulabhinternational.org / www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org/

www.sulabhenvis.in

We have miles to go before

we sleep…

Thanking You!