ECOSAN

 

In Brief:

Based in the Philippines, this project aims to test the concept of ecological sanitation where human waste is viewed as a resource that can be recovered, treated and used safely as an agricultural fertilizer. In particular, the project seeks to study the response of crops such as sweet corn, petchay, and eggplant to human urine. A significant proportion of the soluble substances in urine are essential plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; urine can therefore be considered a well-balanced nitrogen rich liquid fertilizer. However, the nutrient amount in human urine is dependent on the local diet and can vary greatly between regions, and to date there has been no reliable research on the nutrient content in human urine in the Philippines, nor any scientific recommendations on appropriate urine application levels for different vegetable crops under Philippine conditions. While traditionally many developing communities have utilized human waste to grow their crops, further research here is needed to determine whether or not this is an effective practice in the Philippines.

Category:

Food and agriculture; environmental sustainability; botany; health sciences.

Current Status:

Science for Humanity has provided its seeker, the WAND Foundation, with scientists with expertise and field experience in ecological sanitation. To date, Professor Gench, Professor Jonsson and Dr. Morgan have helped to improve the ECOSAN research proposal which establishes the methodology for determining the nutrient content in local human urine, and effective application rates for local crops. The proposal is currently being finalized and the project will be initiated in four different locations in the Philippines later this year.

Requirements:

Science for Humanity requires researchers with both scientific knowledge and field experience in ecological sanitation. In particular, we are seeking individuals capable of providing expertise to the WAND Foundation on project methodology including technical training of staff, analysis of soil and urine, urine application, data collection and analysis, theoretical calculations of urine application rates, and preparing reports.

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Project Impact:

A solution to this challenge will have implications for communities worldwide. ECOSAN can protect human health and the environment whilst reducing the use of water in sanitation systems. ECOSAN systems enable the recovery of nutrients from human waste for the benefit of agriculture. In this way, they help to preserve soil fertility, assure food security for future generations, minimize water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases, and recover bio-energy. They ensure that water is used economically and is recycled in a safe way to the greatest possible extent for purposes such as irrigation and groundwater recharge.

Get Involved:

To see more details or to get involved join the Ecosan Group in our membership area here