Inca Katurapi – Eco Latrines for 75 Families

The first of EIA’s pilot projects was for Inca Katurapi. Located high in the Andes Mountains, the community wanted to develop some kind of healthy way to handle their waste. In partnership with EWB-MST, an “Eco-Latrine” design was made, and then implemented in Inca.So far, 13 latrines have been built. EWB-MST has provided the funds for materials to build 50 more.

However, EWB-MST has moved on and will not return to Inca. EIA is now managing this project, monitoring and constantly retraining the locals on the proper use of the eco-latrines, pushing the community to build the remaining 50 eco-latrines, and purchasing the materials for that construction.

Project Update

EIA has been out to Inca many times to check on the progress and state of the latrines. We found out that the latrines were not being used properly; using both sides of the chamber instead of only one, and not providing enough vegetation to the mix to turn it into compost, and in some cases the latrines were being used as storage rooms. We have re-educated the community on the use of the latrines, and changed the signs in the latrines from Spanish words into a picture format to explain what to do.

In 2010 a group of EIA engineers and interns traveled to Inca to complete some unfinished latrines, and to give workshops on the proper use of the latrines and the beneficialuses of the compost. However, only one of the 13 latrine owners started using the latrine properly. In 2011 a plan of action has been developed by EIA to build 10 new latrines. This plan will focus greatly on a better selection of beneficiaries, making sure that the people getting the latrines will use them for their intended purpose. And the Latrine Use Workshops will be given before any construction begins. The plan will be implemented in 2012.