eSOS

TOILETS
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Smart
ESOS TOILETS
Smart eSOS toilets have the following characteristics: they are stackable and lightweight, fit a Euro-size pallet, are made of durable materials, are easy
to wash and clean, are easy to empty, require minimum maintenance, are raised above the ground, do not require any excavation to install, allow
more frequent use, provide excellent value for money, are easy and safe to use, provide privacy, are easily deployable, give a sense of dignity to users,
look great and invite usage, etc. Beside these aspects, the eSOS concept addresses the ‘smartness’ of the emergency sanitation toilet by
incorporating unique (either as ‘built-in’ or ‘add-on’) features such as: interchangeable squatting pans or sitting toilet, delivered as a urine diversion
dry toilet or flush toilet, safe and easyto-empty storage of urine and feces, fully solar-powered with up to 7 days energy independency, GSM-based
communication, GPS-based tracking, real-time information on occupancy, volume of urine collected, volume of service water and gray water and UV
interior disinfection, nanocoated interior, smart card reader entry system, SOS panic button, smart software for monitoring, data collection and
optimization, etc. Beside smart data collection and communication, the eSOS toilet is subject to technological innovations from the sanitary
engineering perspective. It is a urine diversion toilet with separate collection (and treatment) of urine and feces, with both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ sanitation
options. It is important to note that the eSOS toilet is not designed as an on-site treatment unit due to its high-frequency use and limited storage
capacity.
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eSOS
OPERATION
Based on information, such as population density maps or real-time population tracking using mobile

telephony and other information automatically acquired from the disaster area, in combination with the

user-entered information, the operator will have a rather good understanding of where to position the

emergency aids. The number of sanitation units deployed will be initially determined using rules of thumb

(e.g. up to 50 people per toilet per day), but the application of eSOS will very soon provide practical

feedback on these rules as much more (new) data will become available. In addition, based on the

existing population density and real-time information on the population migration using mobile

telephone signals, the optimal locations (density) of available sanitation units (Pee-Poo bags, for

example, for the immediate response, followed by the supply of emergency toilets) will also be

determined. In the case of pre-fabricated eSOS toilets,they will automatically report their location to the

central system (coordination center) and will appear on the interactive disaster area map as such.
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eSOS
OPERATION
In cases, where the toilet is not equipped with an eSOS kit, it can easily be retrofitted by rapid installation of the necessary

sensors and electronic equipment. Also, already existing units can be upgraded with this equipment, so that the entire

emergency sanitation facilities are tagged and included in the network. The second step is to equip the excreta collection

vehicles with the tracking electronic and navigation equipment. This can be done very easily and quickly by installing the

removable equipment preferably inside the driver’s cabin. The third step is to mobilize the central data collection and

processing unit with all the required software necessary for the operation of the eSOS and to ensure that the Internet

connection or access to a cloud computing/server facility via a satellite connection is available. After the system is up and

running, the operator can use all above-described features to apply the eSOS in a rapid, more efficient, and economic fashion,

with increased confidence. The eSOS system is designed as a stand-alone application, refined at the operator’s emergency

center. It enables the definition of the required procedure for each stage in an emergency and to react to every call within the

shortest period of time. It also enables the local operator to define the unit’s parameters according to both the customer’s and

local network demands and to create (daily, weekly, monthly) reports with statistics and performance indicators.
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OPERATION
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Concluding
REMARKS
The innovative eSOS concept provides a sustainable, innovative, holistic, and affordable sanitation solution for
emergencies before, during, and after disasters. eSOS does not only reinvent the (emergency) toilet and treatment
facilities, but uses existing information and communication technology to bring innovation and potential cost
savings to the entire sanitation operation and management chain,and most importantly, is expected to improve the
quality of life of people in need.
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REFERENCES
Brdjanovic, D., Zakaria, F., Mawioo, P. M., Thye, Y. P., Garcia, H. A., Hooijmans, C. M. &

Setiadi, T.  eSOS® – innovative emergency sanitation concept. In: Proceedings: 3rd

IWA Development Congress and Exhibition, 14–17 October 2013, Nairobi, Kenya.