Shedding light on nightsoil : the nightsoil management improvement study in Hubei, China

This article focuses on human waste disposal practices in many major cities in China and elsewhere in Asia. The waste which is disposed of through a system of nightsoil collection from buckets, latrines, conservancy tanks, and septic tanks is used as a traditional fertilizer and soil conditioner. In spite of inadequate sanitation coverage in many areas, the number of public and private flush toilets that are connected to sewer systems is increasing, resulting in the decrease of the supply of nightsoil for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables. Because of its growing demand, the waste is often left untreated. It therefore constitutes a major health hazard to the workers who manage it, and the farmers who apply it to agricultural land. The paper assesses nightsoil management practices. It examines the key inter-related aspects of hygiene and the epidemiology of existing handling methods. It also looks at socio-economic and marketing aspects, as well as technical options for improved management, and costs and benefits of alternative practices.