Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

According to the Centers for Disease Control, global access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease, leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development. However, many countries are challenged to provide these basic necessities to their populations, leaving people at risk for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. Resources available within this theme offer information on providing access to safe water and appropriate sanitation facilities, and introducing sound hygiene behaviors.

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Resources

Constructing a Household Cistern

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note provides guidance on constructing a household cistern for safe water storage. Well constructed cisterns play an important role in providing families with an accessible supply of potable water. Cisterns and storage jars constructed of locally available materials offer improved access...Read more

Designing a Small Community Disinfection Unit

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Disinfection of ground and surface water is often necessary to ensure that drinking water is free from micro-organisms that could cause disease. This technical note describes the design of three basic methods for chlorinating community water supplies: a pot and a drip feed chlorinator which are...Read more

Designing Privy Shelters

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note provides guidance on designing privy shelters. A privy shelter is a screen or structure that gives the person using the privy privacy. Depending on the design, a shelter can protect the privy and the user from the weather and keep out flies, rates, scavenging dogs, and other...Read more

Constructing Bucket Latrines

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes each step in constructing a bucket latrine. A bucket latrine consists of a shelter and a platform which supports a slab and encloses a bucket. Constructing a bucket latrine involves assembling all necessary labor, materials, and tools; building a base and platform from...Read more

Determining the Need for Water Storage

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note helps determine the need for water storage. Storage is necessary (1) when rainwater is collected for drinking water, (2) for most distribution systems where the source's continuous supply is barely sufficient or is insufficient to meet the daily demand and (3) where a single...Read more

Constructing a Biogas System

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to construct a biogas system. A biogas system is a means of digesting animal manure anaerobically to produce methane gas which is burned to provide heat or light. The system consists of one or more digester tanks, a gas holder, an arrangement of gas pipes, and one...Read more

Designing a Biogas System

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a biogas system. A biogas system is a means of digesting animal manure anaerobically to produce methane gas which is burned to provide heat or light. The system consists of one or more digester tanks, a gas holder, an arrangement of gas pipes, and one or...Read more

Designing a Household Cistern

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note provides guidance on designing a household cistern. Household cisterns are an important means of storing rainwater for family use. In areas where rainwater is the primary source of drinking water, adequate storage is necessary to ensure that people have access to a sufficient...Read more

Operating and Maintaining a Biogas System

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to operate and maintain a biogas system. A biogas system is a means of digesting animal manure anaerobically to produce methane gas which is burned to provide heat or light. The system consists of one or more digester tanks, a gas holder, an arrangement of gas...Read more

Designing a Solid Waste Collection System

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a composting system and arrive at the essential end-products. A composting system is a means of turning garbage, animal manure, other organic wastes, and, in some cases, excreta into compost. Designing a composting system involves determining the method...Read more

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