EWB Innovators - Tonle Sap Sanitation Project
The Tonle Sap
The Tonle Sap is a unique
Project Overview
Engineers Without B
orders Australia and Live & Learn Cambodia have been collaborating on the Tonle Sap Floating Latrine project since 2008. Throughout 2009 a urine diversion desiccation floating latrine concept was developed with help of an EWB Technical Assistance Network and local partners RDI-C and the Ministry of Rural Development. Several of these prototypes have been tested in the target community of Phat Sanday, Kampong Thom province, Cambodia.
These prototypes depend on waste to be stored in sealed 20L buckets for six months. After this time, tests have shown that the waste is safe to be disposed of or used as fertiliser. Community feedback is telling us this is a burden to households and is a disincentive to further take-up of latrines in the community. While the community generally understand that improved water sanitation is important, their current practice of defecation directly into the lake in very convenient.
Therefore the focus of the project in 2010 was to develop new and innovative technologies and practices for the human waste management for the floating communities. The aim was to demonstrate technologies and practices that provide an incentive for the community to take up improved sanitation by generating social, economic and environmental dividends for the floating communities
In 2010 we built a Community Based Waste Management Barge that will demonstrate these technologies and practices for the Phat Sanday Community as described in the 2010 EWB Tonle Sap Detailed Design Report.
In 2011 we propose to design a biodigestor for the barge that can generate social, economical and environmental benefits. Currently we are closely examining six designs for their potential to provide these benefits to peoples on the Tonle Sap.
Additional Background Information on the program can be obtained from the 2009 EWB Challenge reprots which can be accessed by clicking here.
Update from the Field
Robert Hughes, in-country project manager for the Tonle Sap Sanitation Project can be contacted by email or phone.
Contact Details:
Email: robhughes80@gmail.com
Phone: +855 978 826 084
Skype: robhughes80
You can follow Day-to-Day updates on the project's Facebook page.
Project Documents
Project Schedule
Scope of Work
EWB Innovators Student Proposal
2009 EWB Challenge Project Reports
Biodigestion in Cambodia 2010 - Updated report by the 2009 EWB Challenge winners
Pathogen destruction and solids decomposition in composting latrines: study of fundamental mechanisms and user operation in rural Panama
Final Report: Cambodia Assessment – Affordable Sanitation in Challenging Areas in Cambodia and Lao PDR, Phase 1
Current Tasks
Task Template
The link above provides a template for producing the task sheets outlined in the table below.
|
Task |
Description |
Resource |
Status |
| Batch biodigestion | Determine the practicality of using a batch biodigestion waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 15.6.2011 | Work in Progress |
| Incineration | Determine the viablity of using incineration for sanitation treatment | Complete | |
| Dehydration | Determine the practicality of using a dry waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 | Complete |
| Bio-digestion | Determine the practicality of using a biodigestion waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. |
Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 Bio-digestion Comparison Table |
Work in Progress |
| Composting | Determine the practicality of using composting as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 | Work in Progress |
| Chemical Treatment | Determine the practicality of using chemical treatment as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 | Complete |
| MineArc System | Determine the practicality of using a package plant technology for waste treatment, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 | Complete |
| Physical Storage | Determine the practicality of using a physical storage for waste treatment, including its advantages and disadvantages. This is the design base case. |
Preliminary Design Report 30.6.2010 Second Design Report 15.6.2011 |
Work in Progress |
|
Task |
Description |
Resource |
Status |
| Low Cost PE/Plastic Biodigester | Determine the practicality of using a plastic tube biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 9.10.2011 | Complete |
| Fixed-dome plants | Determine the practicality of using a fixed-dome biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 29.12.2011 | Work in Progress |
| Balloon Plant | Determine the practicality of using a balloon biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 29.12.2011 | Work in Progress |
| Ferrocement plants | Determine the practicality of using a ferrocement biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 9.10.2011 | Complete |
| Water-jacket floating-drum plants | Determine the practicality of using a water-jacket floating-drum biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 29.12.2011 | Work in Progress |
| TyreTube Biogas Plant | Determine the practicality of using a tyre tube biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 29.12.2011 | Work in Progress |
| Mesophillic Batch Plant | Determine the practicality of using a plug flow biodigestor as a waste treatment method, including its advantages and disadvantages. | Preliminary Design Report 29.12.2011 | Work in Progress |
Details of positions within the Project Team can be found by following the link below.
Tonle Sap Volunteer Invitation
Tonle Sap Project Positions