The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will hold an International Workshop Agreement (IWA) workshop on sustainable non-sewered sanitation systems on June 28-30, 2016, in Singapore. The IWA is intended to support the development of an international standard to ensure safety aspects of next generation toilets.
The workshop is part of a multi-phased initiative to facilitate the development of a globally recognized consensus standard for safer, cleaner reinvented toilets [see related coverage]. Next generation toilets are sanitation fixtures that remove pathogens and do not require traditional infrastructure such as sewer, water connection, or electricity. They cost less than 5 cents per user, which would provide an opportunity for developing countries to utilize safer, cleaner, and cost-efficient toilet alternatives.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 2.5 billion people do not have access to safe and clean toilets, which creates a living situation associated with violent crime and deadly diseases. WHO estimates that poor sanitation contributes to about 700,000 child deaths from diarrhea each year.
The International Standard would be applicable to individual and community sanitation systems that are self-contained, meet defined discharge requirements, and aim for sustainability. It would also ensure that treated discharged products pose no user, operator health, or environment risks.
For more information, contact ANSI's Leslie McDermott: [email protected]. For registration and overview, visit the event website.