Double ventilated improved pit (VIP)

Applicable to the following sanitary systems Waterless system with alternating pits

Inputs Faeces, Anal cleansing water, Excreta Outputs Compost/EcoHumus

Application Level Management Level Household: xx Household: xx Neighbourhood: x Shared: xx City: o Public: x xx - suitable, x - less suitable, o - not suitable

Description

The Double VIP has almost the same design as the Single VIP with the added advantage of a second pit that allows the technology to be used continuously and allows for safer and easier emptying.

By using two pits, one pit can be used while the contents of the second pit rests, drains, reduces in volume, and
degrades. When the second pit is almost full (the excreta is 50cmfromthe top of the pit), it is covered, and the contents of the first pit are removed. Due to the extended resting time (at least 1 year of filling/resting) the material within the pit should be sanitized and humus-like. The Double VIP is similar to the Fossa Alterna technology with the exception that the Fossa Alterna is specifically designed to produce humus and as such, it requires regular additions of soil, ash and/or leaves.

The superstructure may either extend over both holes or it may be designed to move from one pit to the other. In either case, the pit that is not being filled should befully covered and sealed to prevent water, garbage and animals (and/or people) from falling into the pit. The ventilation of the two pits can be accomplished using one ventilation pipe moved back and forth between the pits or each pit can be equipped with its own dedicated pipe. The two pits in the Double VIP are continually used and should be well lined and supported to ensure longevity.

Adequacy

The Double VIP is more appropriate than the Single VIP for denser, peri-urban areas. The material is manually emptied (it is dug out, not pumped out), so vacuum truck access to the pits is not necessary.

The users can remove the pit material after a sufficient resting time of one or more years even though the treatment processes in the pit are not complete and the material is not entirely hygienic. The Double VIP technology will only work properly if the two pits are used sequentially and not concurrently. Therefore, an adequate cover for the out of service pit is required.

Double VIPs are especially appropriate when water is scarce and where there is a low groundwater table. They should be located in an area with a good breeze. They are not suited for rocky or compacted soils (that are difficult to dig) or for areas that flood frequently.

Health Aspects/Acceptance

The Double VIP can be a very clean, comfortable and well accepted sanitation option, in some cases even more so than a water based technology. However some health concerns exist:

• Latrine leachate can contaminate groundwater;
• Pits are susceptible to failure/overflowing during floods; and
• Health risks from flies are not completely removed by ventilation.

Maintenance

To keep the Double VIP free of flies and odours, regular cleaning and maintenance is required. Dead flies, spider webs, dust and other debris should be removed from the ventilation screen to ensure a good flow of air. The out of service pit should be well sealed to reduce water infiltration and a proper alternating schedule must be maintained. ^[1]

How to build

Costs

Pros & Cons

References

1. ↑ Tilley, Elizabeth et al, 2008. Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). Dübendorf, Switzerland., pp.57-58 ISBN 978-3-906484-44-0