Environmental sanitation aims to protect and promote human health and well-being by providing a clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease. Environmental sanitation is more than just building latrines. It takes a broader look at the community and addresses different, but interconnected, aspects, including human and animal excreta management, solid waste management, vector control, domestic wastewater management and stormwater drainage.
In this introductory level workshop, participants will gain an overall understanding of the issues and best practices for on-site environmental sanitation in low-income, non-networked communities. The workshop explores the relationship between environmental sanitation, disease transmission and health. It addresses technical topics such as human excreta management including different latrine designs; animal excreta management; solid waste management; vector control for mosquitos and rodents; and domestic wastewater management. Aspects of hygiene, such as handwashing and menstrual hygiene, are also discussed as they relate to sanitation. The workshop also introduces a framework for implementing a sustainable and successful project, and the theory of behaviour change and sanitation promotion to create demand for environmental sanitation.