Latrine

Latrine is a term used to describe a toilet or a simpler facility which is used as a toilet within a sanitation system. It can be a communal trench in the earth in a camp or other place where there is no available sewerage, or it can comprise a device that catches and stores human waste products for treatment. In the most basic form, a latrine can just be a hole in the ground. More sophisticated versions include a septic tank.

History

The term latrine is derived from the Latin lavatrina, meaning bath. It is nowadays still commonly used in the term pit latrine. For most people, it is associated with communal latrine facilities of primitive camps and military camps, and it is often used in that sense in survivalist camping.

Types of Latrines

There are several types of latrines which can be used, depending on the situation and the level of sophistication required. These include:

• Pit latrine: This is the simplest form of latrine, consisting of a hole in the ground which is used as a toilet. The waste is collected in the pit and is often covered with soil after each use to reduce smells and flies.

• Ventilated Improved Pit latrine: This is a more sophisticated version of the pit latrine, which includes a vent pipe to allow gases to escape and reduce smells.

• Pour Flush latrine: This type of latrine includes a water seal, which reduces smells and flies. The waste is flushed away with water.

• Composting latrine: This type of latrine collects human waste and allows it to compost over time, producing a safe and nutrient-rich soil conditioner.

Health and Sanitation

Proper use and maintenance of latrines is important for health and sanitation. In many developing countries, lack of access to clean and safe toilets is a major health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly half of the world's population does not have access to safe sanitation, and this contributes to the spread of many diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.

See Also

• Sanitation
• Toilet
• Septic tank
• Composting toilet

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  Ancient Roman toilets in Ostia Antica

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  Roman latrine in Athens

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  Diagram of latrines with arrows

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  Latrine at Krak des Chevaliers