The portable toilet option improves the quality of life of people living in urban slums

The international study of sanitary systems (CBS) has shown that this portable toilet option significantly improves the quality of life of people living in urban slums in Kenya, Peru and South Africa.

CBS systems use sealed, portable toilet containers that are collected, emptied and cleaned regularly as part of a subscription -based service. Unlike traditional sanitary solutions requiring severe infrastructure, CBS offers a flexible and practical alternative to densely populated urban areas.

The study, co -author by Bangor University and Cranfield University, has been published in Nature Water and can pave the way for a wider use of CBS. While containers based on containers are not a constant replacement for sewage systems, it is a transformational temporary solution to improving health, dignity and quality of life in the most sensitive urban communities in the world.

Dr. Alison Parker, a reader of international water and sanitary at the University of Cranfield, who managed the project, said: “Working with such devoted researchers from around the world was a huge privilege to reveal the potential that CBS must provide a safe toilet for billions of people who do not have such.

Quality of life improved by CBS

Scientists used surveys based on smartphones to regularly collect data on sanitary and health from CBS system users. Over time, they carefully followed the experience of residents, providing one of the most detailed appearances on CBS services in urban slums.

Key arrangements include:

• CBS users reported much less problems with their toilets compared to users outside CBS.
• Satisfaction with CBS services was high in many components, including collecting and cleaning.
• The improved service of CBS systems was directly related to the higher quality of sanitary life for residents.

Working with such a rich set of data of hundreds of participants, regularly respondents during the year in three countries, we show that sanitation based on containers-especially in the case of well-operated-can significantly improve the quality of life related to sanitary for people living in informal deposits. “

Dr. Ben Exton, main author, research assistant at Bangor University

Co -author Simon Willcock, basic scientists at Rothamsted Research and a professor of sustainable development at the Bangor University, said: “The study also revealed important differences between countries. In Kenya and Peru, where CBS toilets are delivered by social enterprises supported by subsidies, reported less problems and higher satisfaction compared to African comparison with African Southern, in which CBS is provided by local authorities.

Rémi Kaupp, an executive director, based on the sanitary containers of the Alliance, commented: “I am glad that the results of this long -term, rigorous and multi -tasking study showed a perfect way to understand how sanitary users really perceive their service.

“In addition to emphasizing the key role played by the sanitary container in ensuring continuous access in informal settlements, the study also shows the importance of professional sanitary operators to provide residents with uninterrupted and safe services necessary.”