First private “ecosan” toilet built in Belarus
In the village Smilovichy, near the Belarusian capital Minsk, over 20 representatives of local people, NGOs, mass media and business came to see the opening of the first private ecosan toilet in Belarus
18.07.2008 |Yulia Yablonskaia,
The toilet was built in the framework of joint project between WECF (Netherlands) and Belarussian NGO “Ecoproject Partnership” “Developing multi-stakeholder cooperation in the areas of water, waste and energy in Belarus». With the support of the WECF expert on ecosanitation Stefan Deegener, the facility was constructed in 8 days by the owner of the house and a local constructer. The toilet was built on-site of veranda and abuts upon the house. As it is not possible to buy special toilet sink for ecosan toilet in Belarus, Stefan brought a mould for fabrication of seats from Germany.
Many houses in the village Smilovichy are not connected to the central water supply system and people use water from shallow wells and use pit latrines. Due to the low groundwater level of approximately 6 meter, the water is sensible for infiltration of contaminants.
Last year WECF tested the water in few shallow wells in Smilovichy, a quick test on nitrates showed enormous content in nitrates: 3-5 times higher than norms. Water samples from one private well and central water supply system at school of Smilovichy were also analysed in the laboratory in Munich in July 2007. The water in private well indicated anthropogenic pollution from inadequate management of fertilizer and/or human and animal waste.
In April 2008 the owner of the house visited a school ecosan toilet in Stepanovka villiage in Odessa region in Ukraine. After that she prepared a project proposal to Ecoproject Partnership to build such toilet at her home for a family of 4 people.
During his presentation Mr. Deegener explained the participants the main principals of building, using and maintaining the facility. The ecosan toilet drew the attention of other villagers of Smilovichy and dacha owners from Minsk as most dachas (summerhouses) are not connected to a wastewater system.
After getting the first positive experience NGO «Ecoproject Partnership» plans to continue the promotion of the ecosanitation approach to other communities in Belarus.
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