Public

Health
Technicia
n (MSF;
1994;
192
pages)
1. Water
in
camps
of
Displace
d people
II Sanitatio
n
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A.
Excreta
disposal
B.
Remov
al and
treatme
nt of
wastew
ater
C.
Collecti
on and
disposal
of
refuse
D.
Techni
cal
briefs
III Vector
control
IV GIossary
,
conversi

on
tables
and
estimati
ons
VBibliogra
phy

D. Technical briefs
Trench latrine
Simple pit latrine
Ventilated improved pit latrine
Twin pit latrine
Latrine slab
Pour-flush latrine
Septic tank
Refuse pit
Controlled tip
Dustbin
Temporary incinerator
Permanent incinerator
Soakaway pit
Infiltration trench
Soil permeability
Grease trap
Irrigated garden
Evapotranspiration area
Sterilization by autoclave
Sterilization by hot air
Sanitary surveillance

Trench latrine
Method
Trench latrines represent a method of excreta disposal which is simple and rapid to implement, but temporary.
They are only justified in emergency situations, until more permanent solutions are implemented.

Installation
- Choose a site away from water points (>= 30 m), and downhill from them.
- Dig trenches about 30 cm wide and 90 to 150 cm deep. Allow about 35 m per 100 users.Place the
excavated soil near the side of each trench so that the users can cover their excrete with soil after each use,
to reduce the attraction of flies.
- Lay planks down the two sides in order to ensure a good foothold and to limit erosion of the trench edges.
(When the excrete reaches about 30 cm from the surface, fill in the trench with compacted earth. Mark the
spot and dig another trench.)
- Fence the area (for example with plastic sheeting), and put up a zigzag entrance in order to limit the risk of
straying of animals and to keep as much privacy as possible for users.
- Put a water container with a tap and soap in an obvious place (near the exit) to allow the washing of hands
after defecation.
Key
1. Fence (plastic sheeting)
2. Water container with tap and soap
3. Stones for drainage
4. Zigzag entrance
5. Planks
6. Trenches (width: 30 cm; depth: 90 to 150 cm)
7. Soil for burying excrete
Inputs
- Shovels, picks
- Planks (or wooden poles)
- Stakes (for the fence)
- Plastic sheeting (or local material)
- Empty cans (to handle soil for burying excrete)
- Water container (e.g. 200 l drum) with tap
- Soap
Important
- The planks may be replaced by wooden poles (which should be buried several centimetres).
- Ensure that living areas are not downwind of the trench latrines.
- It is usually necessary to build separate trench latrine areas for men and women. Simply separating the male
and female sections with plastic sheeting and providing two separate entrances may not be enough from the
point of view of acceptability to the population.
- The objective should be to replace the trench latrines as quickly as possible with a more hygienic system
(e.g. ventilated pit latrines; see the other Latrines technical briefs).

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