Digging
As you dig, throw the soil well away from the hole, so that it doesn’t fall back in the pit. First dig a trench for a foundation for your latrine slab. This need only be two or three courses of brick deep (or one concrete block). Build the foundation wall, let it become hard and then dig your pit down inside the foundation wall.
If you are lining the pit after it has been dug, make a guide frame by tying or nailing together pieces of wood or bamboo to the chosen size. This will help you dig straight, reducing the amount of lining material required. An octagon (8 sides) is a good guide for a round hole.
If you are lining part of the pit, stop digging when you get to the chosen depth of lining, then build the lining before you continue digging down.
The covering slab
Make sure the slab will be much larger than the pit, so there is no danger of collapse.
You can build the covering slab out of wood or bamboo, covered with mud, but then there is some danger of hookworm infection through the mud.
You can use moulds to make a concrete slab. If you are building a VIP latrine, the slab will contain a hole for the pipe. Make sure the squat hole is too small for a young child to fall through. A brick is a useful guide for size.
The cover
VIP latrines and water seal latrines do not need covers. Other types of latrines should always have a tight fitting cover. Covers can be made out of wood, or cement. If they are used right from the beginning, then the problem of flies and mosquitoes will be greatly reduced.
Unreinforced, domed concrete slab
The shelter
The shelter can be built from any available material: mud walls and thatch, bricks or blocks with a tin roof, a simple grass screen, ferro cement walls with thatch or tin roof.
The shelter may be a rectangular shape with a door. If people are unlikely to keep the door closed, a better design is to build a spiral shaped shelter. This does not need a door but still provides privacy.
VIP latrines
VIP Latrines must have a pipe or a chimney connected to the pit. The pipe should be higher than the roof of the latrine or any nearby building. The pipe must be well covered with stainless steel or glass fibre wire mesh to catch flies and mosquitoes. Ordinary wire mesh breaks up too quickly.
The latrine should be designed so that the pipe is on the sunniest side. All smells will be taken away up the pipe. Any flies or mosquitoes which get into the latrine will be attracted to the light up the pipe but, unable to get out, will then die. The inside of the latrine will be darker either because there is a door, or because of the spiral design of shelter.
Children's latrines
Young children are often afraid to use a latrine, or find it difficult to manage. An alternative idea for very young children is to dig a very shallow pit (just half a metre deep). Make a slab to cover the hole with a tight fitting cover. No shelter is needed. Encourage children to use this, and add soil regularly to keep flies away. As the hole fills up, dig another small hole and move the slab.
Keeping the latrine clean
Wash the latrine regularly with a brush and soapy water. (Rinsing water from washing is ideal.) Make sure that hands are washed each time the latrine is used.
Take pride in your latrine. The benefits to your family’s health are enormous! Encourage all your neighbours to follow your example.