Use of Ecosan Products
In order to ensure sustained soil fertility and ample harvests, the soil in the cultivation fields needs to be replenished with nutrients and soil-improving material. One objective of ecological sanitation is to contribute to improving soil fertility and food production. The products of ecological sanitation, urine and faeces, are well suited for use as fertilizers. Urine is nutrient-rich and faeces are high in organic matter content. Especially in regions where soil fertility may be low, using treated human excreta will have a beneficial effect on plant production.
However, human excreta contain a high amount of disease-causing organisms (pathogens). Those are mainly contained in faeces. In order to avoid disease transmission, faeces should be treated prior to reuse. The chapter ecosan systems provides an overview on different treatment options.
