Piloting Flood Resilient Toilets in Bangladesh
The sanitation facilities are elevated to withstand rising water levels during floods, ensuring they continue to operate effectively in challenging conditions
Our FINISH Mondial team in Bangladesh has successfully piloted two Flood Resilient Toilets (FRTs) in the Gaibandha district, a flood-prone region in northern Bangladesh. This initiative aims to introduce affordable, sustainable, and resilient sanitation systems in areas affected by frequent flooding and waterlogging. The innovative FRT design, developed by Dr. P.K. Jha, a runner-up in the Hackathon 2.0 competition, is specially constructed to withstand high water levels during flood periods, ensuring that sanitation facilities remain functional even under challenging conditions. The pilot is a response to the pressing need for safe sanitation in vulnerable areas.
To ensure community involvement and the success of the pilot, FINISH Mondial conducted four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with local stakeholders. These discussions played a vital role in selecting suitable sites for the toilets and ensuring the design met the community’s needs. Additionally, FINISH Mondial trained five master masons in the FRT technology, who will, in turn, train local masons to scale the construction of these flood-resilient toilets across the region.
In the next phase of this initiative, FINISH Mondial Bangladesh plans to host a technology-sharing workshop with ITN-BUET and government officials. The aim is to explore the broader adoption of the FRT technology in other flood-prone areas. FINISH Mondial is also actively working to create demand for these resilient sanitation systems and focusing on increasing affordability of this technology. By using locally available materials, such as low-cost commonly used toilet pans and traps, smaller diameter ring channels, and fewer cement bags in the second chamber, the construction costs of FRTs can be significantly reduced. To make the technology even more accessible, FINISH Mondial is partnering with microfinance institutions (MFIs) to provide easy loan options for households in flood-prone regions, enabling them to build their own flood-resilient toilets.
Water samples being collected from tanks, with the samples on the right from the 3rd tank showing improved clarity, indicating that the final discharge is safe for the environment
As part of the pilot, two additional FRTs are planned for the Jamalpur District, with sites selected in collaboration with local government authorities. Initial water testing in the third tank of the pilot toilets has shown promising results, with significant improvements in water clarity, making the discharge safe for the environment.
Documentation, including videos of the pilot, will soon be shared with stakeholders to showcase the success and potential for wider implementation of the FRTs. The project represents a crucial step toward scaling up flood-resilient sanitation solutions across Bangladesh, improving public health and infrastructure in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
FINISH Mondial’s efforts in developing and promoting the FRTs highlight our commitment to addressing the sanitation challenges posed by climate change and frequent flooding, aiming to create long-lasting health benefits for communities in flood-prone regions.
Learn more about the technology by listening to this interview with Dr Jha.