Appropriate novel containment systems for low-income settlements (India)

The unique characteristics presented by low-income settlements, such as overcrowding, financial constraints, lack of land ownership, makes it difficult to decide on appropriate sanitation technologies for these areas. The aim of this study was to identify appropriate innovative containment systems for low- income settlements in Warangal City, India, and to recommend the most appropriate technologies to trial in this context. To achieve this, the study developed a general framework for technology selection specific for the low- income settlements. This was complemented by transect walks and informal interviews in the settlements. A technology landscaping exercise was undertaken to identify innovative on-site sanitation technologies in the Indian and global context. These were assessed for appropriateness (to the low-income settlements) by the contextualised framework. The study identified the Tiger worm toilet and the DRDO Anaerobic Bio-digester tank as the most appropriate technologies to trial in the low-income settlements of Warangal city. Most importantly, the technologies’ innovative treatment is in the containment component which was appropriate for the assessment criteria of this research. The technologies appeared applicable for use with any suitable superstructure adapted to the technical and operational needs and conditions .