Pit latrines are a common disposal system for feces in low-income countries, but there are concerns of leaching into groundwater used for drinking. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a sand barrier around pit latrines to reduce fecal contamination. The data indicates that a sand barrier can modestly reduce the risk.
Sand barriers around latrine pits reduce fecal bacterial leaching into shallow groundwater: A randomized controlled trial in coastal Bangladesh
Written By
Naser AM, Doza S, Rahman M, Ahmed KM, Gazi MS, Alam GR, Karim MR, Khan GK, Uddin MN, Mahmud MI, Ercumen A, Rosenbaum J, Annis J, Luby SP, Unicomb L, Clasen TF