Relative merits and demerits of sanitation
Answers
Merits:
It is a cheaper system. It is carried with low initial cost because latrines and open drains may be constructed economically.
In this system the quantity of sewage to be carried at the treatment plant for disposal is low.
The storm water is carried in open drains and the sewer section in this case shall be small and thus they will run full for the major portion of the year and thus sewer lines will be free from silting and other deposits.
In this case the water level in rivers rises at the out falls due to floods, pumping of sewage for disposal may be done at a nominal cost.
Demerits
For burying night soil more space is required.
There is every possibility that storm water may go in sewers which may cause heavy loads on the treatment plants.
There is also every possibility of finding access in the sub soil of liquid refuse which may pollute underground water.
As the latrines in the house are to be provided away from the inhabited rooms in a building, it creates inconvenience to use. If provided near the rooms, it emits foul smell.
The excreta is not carried by the carts or trucks directly from the latrines, but it is first collected by human agency and placed at roadside for its further collection by carts etc. Which causes insanitary conditions dangerous to public health.