Village Sanitation Initiative

The town of Vilkovo lies on the Danube Delta, which means that ground water levels are very high. Almost all houses are located at waterways and so the most common means of transportation is by boat. This might be quite picturesque but has severe consequences: costs for infrastructure such as centralized sewage systems or central drinking water supply are very high.

Most of the houses don’t have access to safe drinking water, and get their drinking water of the channels. A centralized sewage system does not exist, and the high ground water level means the usual pit latrines are not a safe and sustainable option. If the latrines are dug deeper than 40cm they seep into the ground water and contaminate it. At this level, the holes fill fast, so many people empty their toilet into the channels. As a result, outbreaks of cholera, hepatitis and other water borne diseases are common.

The Ukrainian office of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is in Vilkovo. Environmental awareness is high and people are motivated to work for sustainable development. Labour is therefore not included in the budget.

Goals overview

To help the local organisation and project committee get the means, money and public recognition needed to implement safe sanitation. Water borne diseases will be reduced because of better sanitation and increased awareness of good hygiene and water safety.

Current status

Currently the village has one ecological sanitation ("ecosan") toilet, built by another organisation. This solution does not fit the needs of the community, as it is too expensive as well as insufficient in quantity. The community has seen the advantages of the pilot toilet, however, and is behind the search for an alternative solution. The project will promote Urine Diverting Dry toilets as a solution to the sanitation problems in the area.

Project plan

Vozrajdenie will introduce appropriate, low cost technology, transforming the existing latrines into dry urine diversion toilets by inserting a funnel-like device in the toilet seat. Faeces will be collected in boxes. Local environmental groups will further raise awareness of the dangers of drinking water also used for sanitation.

Its position on the Danube Delta and activities of international organisations have made the town very conscious of environmental protection issues, and willing to take necessary steps to protect its surroundings. This willingness will help ensure the success of the project.

The local social structures for managing the project exist in the form of a nature information centre. They approached WECF with the request for help installing more ecosan toilets because of the urgent health and environmental problems. They understand and appreciate the technology, as it fits to their local environmental conditions.

Household contribution of at least 30% from the users is required. Raising local awareness on all issues, and training on construction, maintenance and operation will be intensive. A local implementation committee will be formed, and local builders taught how to help the households convert their latrines to UD toilets.