The Hindu 27.08.2014
Bio-toilets: for cooking, irrigation too
The first bio-toilet in the district was constructed at a house in Panapuram panchayat in Mecheri block.
Under
the Construction of Individual Household Latrine scheme of the Nirmal
Bharat Abhiyan, which aims at sanitation in rural areas, the toilet
costs Rs. 11,100.
The Centre’s share was Rs. 5,700,
assistance from MGNREGS was Rs. 4,500, and the house owner contributed
Rs. 900. The toilet consists a bio-digester having a capacity of 750
litre instead of the septic tank. It is filled with bacteria ‘inoculum’
that has a life of about 50 years. The bacteria decomposes the excreta
and releases methane gas, and treated water.
The
biogas can be used for cooking. The water for irrigation. Chinnathai
(45), the house owner, said that no odour emanates from the tank.
Officials said that they had simplified a bio toilet developed by the
Defence Research and Development Organisation to make it efficient, and
cost-effective.
The toilet does away with manual
disposal of human waste. It prevents the waste from seeping down and
contaminating the groundwater.
Many from other States
are visiting the place to study the functioning of the toilet. Project
Director of District Rural Development Agency V. Ayyappan said after
studying the functioning of the toilets for six months, the model would
be recommended to the State Rural Development Department for
implementing across the State. Currently 30 bio-toilets are being
constructed in Edappadi block in the district, he added.