Wageningen: Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University
Abstract
To meet the 2015 Millennium Development Goals sanitation target or the 2025
universal sanitation coverage target it is essential that it is properly understood where the
available sanitation options are applicable. In high-density low-income urban areas
conventional sewerage and ecological sanitation systems are inapplicable solely on grounds
of cost. In these areas the options are simplified sewerage, low-cost combined sewerage and
community-managed sanitation blocks. In medium-density urban areas on-site systems are
also applicable (alternating twin-pit VIP latrines and pour-flush toilets, urine-diverting
alternating twin-vault ventilated improved vault latrines, biogas toilets and ecological
sanitation systems, all with greywater disposal or use). In medium- to low-density rural
areas the options are the same as those in medium-density urban areas, with single-pit VIP
latrines and pour-flush toilets, rather than alternating twin-pit systems. The level of water
supply service (public or community-managed standpipes, yard taps, multiple-tap in-house
supplies) also influences the choice of sanitation option