Study on functionality and utilisation of household and institutional latrines in Tamil Nadu

This study on the functionality and utilization of household and institutional latrines was undertaken in the Marakkanam Block of South Arcot Vallalar District and Portonovo Block of South Arcot Villupuram Ramasamy Padayatchiyar District of Tamil Nadu State, India. The pilot phase of the DANIDA assisted Integrated Rural Sanitation and Water Supply Project has been implemented in these two blocks from 1990 to 1995. The study has been undertaken in the context of a secondary expansion phase of the project which intends to extend the project activities in another 35 blocks of these two districts. Provision of water supply at the rate of 40 litres per capita per day to all the population and sanitary latrines at the rate of 15 per cent coverage of total households is the overall project objective. Participatory and need based planning and implementation, strengthening of community participation and capacity building of local people and institutions form the key strategies of the sanitation programme. In this context, the Socio Economic Unit foundation was asked to undertake the present study. The objective being to find out: i. The level and functionality of household and institutional latrines; ii. The factors that have contributed to the differences in utilization and functional quality of latrines; and iii. Peoples' knowledge, attitude and practice in sanitation with in the project and neighboring areas.