New Delhi, Mar 22, 2013: Pit latrines are one of the most common human excreta disposal systems in low-income countries, and their use is on the rise as countries aim to meet the sanitation-related target of the Millennium Development Goals. There is concern, however, that pit latrine discharges of chemical and microbial contaminants to groundwater may negatively affect human health.

Mar 22, 2013: Background: Pit latrines are one of the most common human excreta disposal systems in low-income countries, and their use is on the rise as countries aim to meet the sanitation-related target of the Millennium Development Goals.

Twin-pits for pour-flush toilets are two underground leaching pits linked to one single pour-flush toilet by a Y-junction. The two pits are used alternately. Blackwater (i.e. excreta, flushing water and anal cleansing water) is directed into one of the pits. The pits are lined either with a porous material or holes in the walls allowing the liquid to infiltrate into the surrounding soil. During soil infiltration, most of the pathogens are filtered or die-off with time and distance - but in densely populated areas, it can still lead to the pollution of ground water.