|style="width:50%;"|{{santable_new|
sys1=[[Waterless System with Alternating Pits|2]]|
sys2=[[ Pour Flush Pit System without Sludge Production|3]]|
sys3=|
sys4=|
ManShared=XX|
ManPublic=X|
Input1=Compost/EcoHumus |Input2= Pit Humus |Input3= | Input4= |Input5=|Output1=- Biomass |Output2= | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
|english_link=Application_of_Compost_-_Eco-Humus
|french_link=Application_du_Compost_(Eco-Humus)
[[Image:Icon_application_of_compost_eco_humus.png |right|80px]]
'''Decomposed excreta is rich in nutrients (NPK nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) and organic material. The organic material in compost acts as soil conditioner. It also improves the structure and water holding capacity of sandy soils and adds structure and permeability to clay soils. Composted excreta, on its own or combined with other biodegradable material, enhances the fertility of topsoil.'''
Composting '''Compost is the term used to describe soil-like substance resulting from the controlled aerobic degradation of organics into a soil-like substance called compost. ‘EcoHumus’ Pit humus is a the term taken from Peter Morgan (see references) and is a more appropriate word used to use for describe the material removed from a Fossa Alterna double pit technology (S.4, S.5 or S.6) because it is produced passively underground and has a slightly different compositionthan compost. Both products can be used as soil conditioners.'''
[[Image:Compost_as_soil_conditionerThe process of thermophilic composting generates heat (50 to 80 °C) which kills the majority of pathogens present. The composting process requires adequate carbon, nitrogen, moisture, and air. The Double VIP (S.4), Fossa Alterna (S.5) or Twin Pits for Pour Flush (S.6) are ambient-temperature variations of high-temperature composting.PNG|thumb|right|200px|[[Compost as soil conditioner |Compost as soil conditioner]]In these technologies, there is almost no increase in temperature because the conditions in Malawi the pit (oxygen, moisture, C:N ratio) are not optimized for creditscomposting processes to take place. Because of this, click the picturematerial is not actually ‘compost’ and is, therefore, referred to as ‘pit humus’. The texture and quality of the pit humus depends on the materials which have been added to the excreta (e.g., soil added to a Fossa Alterna)]]and the storage conditions.
The process WHO guidelines on excreta use in agriculture stipulate that compost should achieve and maintain a temperature of thermophilic composting generates heat (50 °C for at least one week before it is considered safe to 80°C) which kills the majority of pathogens presentuse. For the composting process to occur there must be adequate carbon, nitrogenAchieving this value, moisturehowever, and air. The [[Fossa Alterna]] and [[Fill and Cover - Arborloo|Arborloo]] are ambient temperature variations requires a significantly longer period of high-temperature composting. In these For technologies, there is almost no temperature rise because vegetable matter is lacking. For that reasongenerate pit humus, the end material a minimum of 1 year of storage is not actually ‘compost’ recommended to eliminate bacterial pathogens and reduce viruses and is therefore referred to as ‘EcoHumus’parasitic protozoa. WHO guidelines should be consulted for detailedinformation.
The WHO guidelines state ===Design Considerations=== It has been shown that the productivity of poor soil can be improved by applying equal parts compost should achieve and maintain a temperature of 50°C for at least one week before topsoil to it is considered safe (although to achieve this value, a significantly longer period of composting is required). The WHO guidelines output fromone Fossa Alterna should be consulted sufficient for detailed information. For systems that generate EcoHumus in-situ (i.e. Fossa Alterna), a minimum of two 1 year of storage is recommended to eliminate bacterial pathogens and reduce viruses and parasitic protozoa. Compost/EcoHumus can be used beneficially to improve the quality of soils 5 m by adding nutrients and organics and improving the soil’s ability to store air and water3. The texture and quality of the EcoHumus depends on the materials, which have been added to the excreta (especially the type of soil)5 m beds.
{{procontable | pro=
- Potential Can improve the structure and water-holding capacity of soil and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers <br>- May encourage income generation (improved yield and productivity of plants). <br> - Low risk of pathogen transmission. <br> - Can improve soil conditions such as the structure and water-holding capacity of soil. <br>Compost reduces the need for artificial fertilizer.<br> - Simple technique for all users. <br> - Low cost. costs | con=- Requires May require a year or more of maturation. <br> - Does not replace fertilizer (N, P, K).Social acceptance may be low in some areas <br>-Cultural taboos could hinder use. <br>-Health precautions always need to be considered when applying compost enriched with excreta.
}}
===AdequacyAppropriateness===Compost/EcoHumus and pit humus can be beneficially used to improve the quality of soil. They add nutrients and organics and improve the soil’s ability to store air and water. They can be mixed into the soil before crops are planted, used to start seedlings or indoor plants , or simply mixed into an existing compost pile for further treatment. For poor soils, equal parts of compost and top soil have shown to improve productivity. The output from one Fossa Alterna should be sufficient for two 1.5m by 3.5m beds. Vegetable gardens filled with the Eco- Humus pit humus from the Fossa Alterna have shown dramatic improvements over gardens planted without compost, and soil conditioner. The use of pit humus has even made agriculture possible in areas which otherwise would not have not otherwise supported crops. ===Health Aspects/Acceptance===A small risk of pathogen transmission exists, but if in doubt, any material removed from the pit can be composted further in a regular compost heap, or mixed with additional soil and put into a ‘tree pit’, i.e. a nutrient-filled pit used for planting a tree. Compost containing excreta should be applied in such a way that the upper layer of the soil covers the material. Note; compost from excreta should not be applied as fertilizer to vegetables eaten raw.
===Health Aspects/Acceptance=== A small risk of pathogen transmission exists, but, if in doubt, any material removed from the pit or vault can be further composted in a regular compost heap before being used or mixed with additional soil and put into a ‘tree pit’, i.e., a nutrient-filled pit used for planting a tree. Compost and pit humus should not be applied to crops less than one month before they are harvested. This waiting period is especially important for crops that are consumed raw. As opposed to sludge, which originates can originate from a variety of domestic, chemical and industrial sources, compost has and pit humus have very few chemical inputs. The only chemical sources that could contaminate compost or pit humus might originate from contaminated organic material (e.g. , pesticides) or from chemicals that are excreted by humans (e.g. medication). Compared to the cleaning, pharmaceutical and processing chemicals that may find their way into sludge, compost can be considered as a less contaminated productresidues).
Acceptability Compared to the chemicals that may find their way into wastewater sludge, compost and pit humus can be low at firstconsidered as less contaminated. Compost and pit humus are inoffensive, but earth-like products. Regardless, people might refrain from handling and using them. Conducting demonstration units and activities that promote hands-on experience are effective ways of demonstrating the can effectively show their non-offensive nature of the materialand their beneficial use.
===Operation & Maintenance===The material must be allowed to adequately mature adequately before it is being removed from the system and then . Then, it can be used without further treatment. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing.
===Field experiences===
===References===
* Del Porto, D. and Steinfeld, C. (1999). The Composting Toilet System Book. A Practical Guide to Choosing, Planning and Maintaining Composting Toilet Systems, an Alternative to Sewer and Septic Systems. The Center for Ecological Pollution Prevention (CEPP), Concord, MA, US.
* Jenkins, J. (2005). The Humanure Handbook. A Guide to Composting Human Manure. 3rd Ed. Jenkins Publishing, Grove City, PA, US.
* Morgan, P. R. (2004). An Ecological Approach to Sanitation in Africa. A Compilation of Experiences. Aquamor, Harare, ZW.
:Available at: [http://www.ecosanres.org ecosanres.org]
* Del PortoMorgan, DP. and Steinfeld, CR. (19992007). The Composting Toilet System BookToilets That Make Compost. A Practical Guide to Choosing, Planning and Maintaining Composting Toilet SystemsLow-Cost, Sanitary Toilets That Produce Valuable Compost for Crops in an Alternative to Sewer and Septic SystemsAfrican Context. The Center for Ecological Pollution Prevention (CEPP)Stockholm Environment Institute, MassachusettsStockholm, USASE. pp. 81-90.:Available at: [http://www.ecosanres.org ecosanres.org]
* JenkinsMorgan, JP. R. (19992009). The Humanure Handbook: a Guide Ecological Toilets. Start Simple and Upgrade from Arborloo to Composting Human Manure. (2nd ed.)VIP. Jenkins PublishingStockholm Environment Institute, Grove CityStockholm, Pa, USASE. :Availableat: [http://www.jenkinspublishingecosanres.org ecosanres.comorg]
* Morgan, P. NWP (20042006). An Ecological Approach to Smart Sanitation in Africa: A Compilation Solutions. Examples of Innovative, Low-Cost Technologies for Toilets, Collection, Transportation, Treatment and Use of ExperiencesSanitation Products. AquamorNetherlands Water Partnership, HarareThe Hague, ZimbabweNL. :Availableat: [http://www.ecosanresircwash.org ircwash.org]
* MorganStrande, PL. , Ronteltap, M. and Brdjanovic, D. (Eds.) (20072014). Toilets that make compostFaecal Sludge Management. Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation. Stockholm Environment InstituteIWA Publishing, StockholmLondon, Sweden. pp 81–90UK. (Detailed book compiling the current state of knowledge on all aspects related to FSM):Availableat: [http://www.ecosanressandec.ch sandec.orgch]
* NWP WHO (2006). Smart Sanitation Solutions. Examples Guidelines for the Safe Use of innovativeWastewater, low-cost technologies for toiletsExcreta and Greywater. Volume 4: Excreta and Greywater Use in Agriculture. World Health Organization, collectionGeneva, transportation, treatment and use of sanitation productsCH.:Available at: [http://www. Netherlands Water Partnership, The Netherlandswho. pp 49int who.int]
===Acknowledgements===
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}
