New technology to tackle open defecation

In what may be seen as a major initiative to eliminate open defecation and promote sanitation in the state, the Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management (CDMM), VIT University, Vellore, and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund held an exhibition, called ‘WASH Expo’, here on Saturday. 

On view were some new toilet technologies: the staff explained how the use of the e-toilet, bio digest toilet, tiger toilet and ecological sanitation (Ecosan) toilet could be customized as per the requirement of the household, institutions and community. 

The expo also demonstrated water purification technology options, which included NaDCC (Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate) tablets and bleaching powder for household use.

Job Zachariah, Chief of the UNICEF State office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala, said at a panel discussion, “Such an expo aims to create awareness on various sanitation technologies available. Further, this initiative is in line with the national flagship programme of ‘Swachch Vidyalaya and Swachch Bharat Mission’.” The newly adopted sustainable development ‘Goal-6’ of the United Nations emphasises the need to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation. 

“The UNICEF is poised to promote the rights and well being of every child, in everything we do. In that sense, our aim is to put an end to open defecation, both in the urban and rural areas. So, we conduct such an expo at which some kinds of technological toilets are exhibited,” said another official, adding that the public could set up such toilets, which would create a complete ecosystem for waste digestion, rapidly utilizing aerobic bacteria for the waste water and earthworms for solid waste. 

The expo has 10 stalls showcasing new toilet technologies, costs and methods of installation.