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Pit latrines collect human feces in a hole in the ground. The principle of a pit latrine is that all liquids that enter the pit – in particular urine and water used for anal cleansing – seep into the ground (the only exception are fully lined pit latrines, see below).
A latrine is a toilet or an even simpler facility that is used as a toilet within a sanitation system. For example, it can be a communal trench in the earth in a camp to be used as emergency sanitation, a hole in the ground (pit latrine), or more advanced designs, including pour-flush systems.
A pit latrine is a way to deposit excreta directly or indirectly into a hole in the ground. In the pit, excreta are decomposed into gases, liquids and solids. Gases escape to the atmosphere. Liquids soak into the soil. Solids which remain become harmless after a year and can be dug from the pit and used as fertilizer.
What is a Pit Latrine. Pit latrines are the most common and simplest form of excreta disposal in many developing countries. These are almost universally acceptable in rural areas and are also widely used in low-income urban communities, although often not appropriate.
This guide introduces the types of pit latrines that are commonly used in low-income communities and the factors that will help determine which type is most suitable for any given circumstance. Detailed information about particular designs is presented in further guides in this series. Contents.
Pit latrines are one of the oldest forms of formal sanitation in the world and for many they are still the best. Pit latrines are simple to build and can be constructed using local materials and technologies.
Pit latrines are simple and affordable sanitation facilities that collect and decompose human waste. Learn about the two main types of pit latrines, how they are built, and why they matter for health and hygiene in sub-Saharan Africa.
