Pit Latrine Ventilation - Design Concepts

The performance of pit latrine ventilation is often found to be a problem in the field. The presence of bad smells inside the latrine and/or the presence of flies significantly impacts the experience and overall comfort of users, which can lead to avoidance of the latrine as well as neglect of the basic maintenance. Good ventilation is all about the air being sucked through the slab opening into the pit and through the vent pipe, keeping the smell and the flies out of the toilet cabin. This guidance document is aimed towards all WASH stakeholders involved in design and implementation of pit latrines, in order to facilitate the review of detailed designs, monitoring before commissioning and maintenance of the sanitation facilities.