Evaluation of pour-flush latrines and pit management in Honduras

In order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals criteria for sustainable sanitation, sanitation solutions must safely separate humans from waste and include safe disposal in situ or treatment off-site of excreta. In 2016, Water Mission conducted a cross-sectional evaluation assessing the function, use, and pit management of 15,644 pour-flush latrines installed in Colón, Honduras between 2007 and 2015. Continued function of 85% of latrines and continued use of 82% demonstrated viability of the latrines, at least up until the point of pit fill. Of the 15% of pits that had filled at the time of survey, nearly 77% of households had not taken any action to enable ongoing pit functionality, likely attributable to a lack of planning. Increased education and programming on pit management and the training of a local mason are now integrated into the employed approach in efforts to improve the longer-term viability of this sanitation solution.