Browsing by Author "Sklar, Marc"

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    Assessing the promotion of urine-diverting dry toilets through school-based demonstration facilities in Kalisizo, Uganda
    (Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2016) Trimmer, John T.; Nakyanjo, Neema; Ssekubugu, Robert; Sklar, Marc; Mihelcic, James R.; Ergas, Sarina J.
    Urine-diverting dry toilets (UDDTs) are designed to recover nutrients and organic matter from human excreta for agricultural reuse. Their wider implementation could help address problems in areas where water scarcity limits coverage of sanitation systems and declining soil fertility jeopardizes nutritional security. Demonstration facilities can improve stakeholders’ views of UDDTs; however, it is uncertain whether these facilities should be located at households or institutions. Using a novel methodological approach that included qualitative data collection before and after introduction of demonstration UDDTs and quantitative monitoring of treatment conditions, this study evaluated changes in local attitudes and knowledge resulting from a UDDT promotion strategy at two primary schools in Uganda. Before introduction, students had little knowledge of UDDT facilities, while most attitude-related statements conveyed negative viewpoints and skepticism. After introduction and six months of operation, students exhibited increased knowledge, and 68% of attitude-related statements conveyed positive opinions that focused on the UDDTs’ long-term economic value and their role in creating a more hygienic school environment. These changes were seen in facility users and in other students at the schools who were non-users. In the future, with these improved perceptions, students could become compelling representatives for UDDTs within their communities, potentially increasing adoption.
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    Estimation of Ascaris lumbricoides egg inactivation by free ammonia treatment of ash-amended UDDT vault products using stored urine in Uganda
    (Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2016) Trimmer, John T.; Nakyanjo, Neema; Ssekubugu, Robert; Sklar, Marc; Mihelcic, James R.; Ergas, Sarina J.
    Urine-diverting dry toilets (UDDTs) are designed to recover nutrients and organic matter from human excreta for use as agricultural amendments, and have been promoted in many developing countries, including Uganda. Wider UDDT implementation could help address problems in areas where water scarcity limits sanitation coverage and/or declining soil fertility jeopardizes growing populations’ nutritional security. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of recovered UDDT vault products, which may contain persistent pathogens such as Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. A. lumbricoides eggs can be inactivated through elevation of free ammonia levels. This study assessed the feasibility of a secondary ammonia treatment strategy for UDDT ash-amended vault products using urine. Treatment parameters were measured in mixtures of urine, ash-amended vault products, and wood ash, a model was developed to account for temperature fluctuations, and A. lumbricoides egg inactivation times were estimated using a previously published model. A mixture containing two parts urine and one part ash-amended vault products was estimated to provide 2-log10 inactivation after 3 months of indoor storage (daily mean temperatures: 22.8±0.3 WC) or 2 months of outdoor storage (25.9±1.3 WC). This strategy could improve the safety of recovered products for agricultural use to improve the nutritional security of vulnerable populations.