Fossa alterna is a low cost ecological sanitation latrine. Two pits are excavated and used in an alternating manner one after another. It works on the principle of applying ash and soil every time the latrine is used. Fossa alterna can be constructed using a variety of locally available materials. The cost of a complete double pit latrine ranges from as low as 315,000/- to over 800,000/- depending on materials used. If some of the materials for example timber is locally provided by the family without buying the cost of a complete low cost latrine facility can reasonably go down by 72,000/-. If family labour is used to excavate the pits, the total cost would further reduce by 30,000/- Users of fossa latrine hail it for being a suitable option especially for people in problem areas i.e., high water table areas and areas infested with termites which attack and destroy ordinary pit latrines. It is cost effective and also a source of manure to boost agriculture which qualities make it popular. Where it was introduced, the community was presented which a number of latrines options but chose the fossa alterna because of its special attributes. |
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