Pit latrines and their impacts on groundwater quality: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pit latrines are one of the most common human excreta disposal systems in low-income countries, and their use is on the rise as countries aim to meet the sanitation-related target of the Millennium Development Goals. There is concern, however, that discharges of chemical and microbial contaminants from pit latrines to groundwater may negatively affect human health.

Objectives

Our goals were to a) calculate global pit latrine coverage, b) systematically review empirical studies of the impacts of pit latrines on groundwater quality, c) evaluate latrine siting standards, and d) identify knowledge gaps regarding the potential for and consequences of groundwater contamination by latrines.

Methods

We used existing survey and population data to calculate global pi

SUBMITTER: Graham JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3673197 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature