Gates Foundation awards grants for 26 sanitation technology projects

A reusable self-decontaminating sanitary napkin, a children’s latrine training mat and a latrine using urine to flush instead of water are among 26 sanitation technology projects that have been awarded Gates Foundation grants. The topics of the wining projects range from hygiene, to household  latrines, ecological sanitation, and wastewater/sludge treatment and reuse for fertiliser and energy.

On 28 April 2011, the Gates Foundation announced that 88 new global health projects received grants, each worth US$ 100,000, in the 6th round of the Grand Challenges Explorations initiative. Out of these 88 projects, there were 26 winners in the category “Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies”. See the full list of 26 sanitation awards. Projects with demonstrated success in their initial phase of research have the opportunity to receive Phase II funding of up to US$ 1 million.

There is another opportunity to submit proposals for sanitation technology grants in round 7 of the Grand Challenges Explorations (deadline 19 May 2011).

How to make a tippy tap

Tippy Tap, WOT/Connect International

Westra, M.T. and Holtslag, H. (2008). How to make a tippy tap : a hygienic hand washing device with running water. Enschede, The Netherlands, Werkgroep OntwikkelingsTechnieken, University of Twente and Leiden, The Netherlands, Connect International. 7 p.

Download from:  WOT or Connect International

This document describes how to make a Tippy Tap, a simple handwashing device with running water. The Tippy Tap consists of a 5 liter container hanging on a horizontal stick. The container can be tipped by pulling a rope through the cap. The rope is attached to a stick lying on the ground, which is pushed down by foot. As only the soap is touched during hand washing, the device is very hygienic.

See also: Akvopedia – Tippy Tap

One the earliest Tippy Tap designs was published in Dialogue on Diarrhoea (no, 54 Sep-Nov 1993). In 2005, Lifewater published an adapted version: “Tippy Tap II“.

A similar device – the Canacla – invented by the Belgian Jacques Vanhercke, has been introduced in Senegal, Rwanda and Morocco. However the web site of the NGO promoting the Canacla is currently unavailable [Handwashing: new water-saving technology introduced in Rwanda, Source Weekly, 28 Nov 2007]

Solar water disinfection: CREPA promoting SODIS in Benin, government has doubts

“The government of Benin aims to dramatically increase the percentage of Beninese who can access drinking water by 2015 and one organisation, the Regional Centre for Water and Sanitation (CREPA) hopes to close the gap with a simple solution requiring little more than sunshine and a plastic bottle.

Developed by [SANDEC at]  the Swiss Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), the method, called solar water disinfection, or SODIS, uses the sun’s UV-A rays and heat to decontaminate water. So far, up to two million people in 20 countries have used it, though Benin is one of the few West African countries to trial the method”.

[...]

“Despite its benefits, SODIS officials at the Benin Water Board (SONEB) say they have not yet agreed to promote SODIS as an official strategy and will not openly state whether or not this will change.

“SODIS is advised only in cases where there is no drinking water. Where there is a good supply of drinking water, there is no problem,” said one source close to the Beninese Ministry of Water who requested anonymity.

SODIS will not work without the right conditions in place. “Carefully washed bottles and clean hands are vital requirements,” said Adissoda. This involves high hygiene awareness levels, and public information campaigns can cost up to US$2 per person, she added.

The water itself cannot be too dirty in the first place – if it is too cloudy it might resist the sun’s rays. Finally, though cheap, plastic bottles are not always plentiful in rural areas. However, the most vital ingredient – sunshine – is abundant in countries such as Benin”.

See also: SODIS Africa Net

Read more: IRIN, 10 Jul 2008