Training manual for toilet construction : rural sanitation and hygiene programme

The government of Bhutan’s commitment to improve and maintain the health and well-being of its people is long standing, water, sanitationand hygiene being one of the key areas for this. Whilst Bhutan now reports impressive coverage figures for access with 92.5% basic sanitationcoverage in rural areas it is recognised that the pit latrines traditionally promoted are not necessarily access that is hygienic or of a standard that blocks the spread of disease transmission. According to Bhutan Multiple Indicator Survey 2010, only 51% of the Bhutanese population have access to improved sanitation as monitored by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Improved sanitation is the hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact. Improved sanitation facilities include flush or pour flush to a piped sewer system, septic tank, or latrine; ventilated improved pit latrine, pit latrine with slab, and composting toilets. [authors abstract]