Saneamiento Ecológico: ¿Panacea o Caja de Sorpresas?

Abstract

The concept of Ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) is based on the separation of materials flow. Thus, the solid (excreta) is separated from the liquid phase (urine). Previous work points out to the dehydration process as the key mechanism to eliminate pathogens effectively. In this sense, dry systems seem to be better to reduce microbiological risks when compared to more conventional methods for excreta management (i.e., sewerage, septic tanks, soaking pits etc). However, recent technical and scientific literature show there is a lack of strong evidence to demonstrate that the ad-hoc hypothesis of pathogens elimination via dehydration holds true in all possible environmental conditions where ECOSAN could be implemented. Furthermore, the reduction of chemical risks associated with undesirable substances such as the endocrine disruptors (EDs) which may be present in the urine is something that deserve in-depth scrutiny in all sanitation technologies. Additionally, the implementation of ECOSAN in a given social and cultural context requires a well-founded community work so as to overcome all the limitations that potential users may have in relation to this technology. Hence, ECOSAN is not the panacea for the solution of pollution problems and it is basically another sanitation technology at the development stage.