User perceptions and practical considerations for implementation of advanced sanitation technologies: a case study of the nano membrane toilet from Kumasi, Ghana

In response to the growing need for sustainable urban sanitation, technologies are being developed that will be completely novel to their target context. The successful adoption of such technologies will be dependent on their acceptability to end users and their adaptability to local settings. As part of the development of the Nano Membrane toilet, a design team conducted a field study in Kumasi, Ghana, to gauge acceptability of the design and to assess the perceived value of the designed outputs of the toilet. In addition, a physical survey was conducted of the residences of the interviews. Overall, the surveys provided information about site-specific attitudes and physical limitations which would need to be considered by designers. These types of survey can be used by technology developers to assist design or to identify areas that are appropriate for their technology. Conversely, similar surveys could be used as a community assessment tool to identify technologies that are best adapted for a specific circumstance.