Rural Sanitation

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Wherever there are problems of bad sanitation in rural areas, with all the sickness and disease that results, one may be tempted to assume that improved technology is the answer, and that new latrines will provide the necessary 'technological fix'. But technology by itself does not solve anything, and in rural areas of developing countries it is often found that latrines, when built, are not fully used, and when used, do not always banish the diseases of bad sanitation. The essential point is that good sanitation depends primarily on people and on how they organise hygiene-related activities.

Although the term 'sanitation' can, strictly speaking, cover water supply as well as excreta disposal, it has been assumed here that sanitation is not concerned with major improvements to village water supplies, mentioning backyard wells, small water filters, and in particular, rainwater storage tanks. However, these subjects are considered from the standpoint of planning, not technology. As with the other booklets in this series of publications on 'socially appropriate technologies', it is focused mainly on experience gained from practical projects.

It has been written mainly for hospital staff and community development workers in Third World countries who may be planning programmes to improve sanitation or hygiene in the rural areas.

The author, Arnold Pacey, is a writer on technical subjects who has worked for OXFAM, the UK- based charitable organisation working for the Third World. His previous publications have mainly been concerned with water supply in developing countries and the history of technology.

This document is written for hospital staff and community development workers in developing countries who are planning to start sanitation or hygiene improvement programmes.