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Since 1 January 2011, GIZ has brought together under one roof the long-standing expertise of DED, GTZ and Inwent. For further information, go to www.giz.de.

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Themes > Sustainable infrastructure > Water > Sustainable sanitation - ecosan > Further information > Frequently Asked Questions > Projects

Contact person

For further information please contact:
Dr. Elisabeth von Münch
Tel: +49 6196 79-4221
Fax: +49 6196 79-804221
Email: ecosan@giz.de

Ecosan projects - Questions and answers

Are there any ecosan projects in my country?
There are ecosan projects in nearly every country by now.
These are possible methods to find them:
  • Look in this website in the section "Projects" and there in the worldwide ecosan project list
  • Sanimap (http://www.sanimap.net/) which is based on Google Maps 
  • Put into the Google search field “ecosan and (country name)”, or “ecosan newsletter and (country name)”

If you know of an interesting ecosan project, which is not yet in our lists, please send us an e-mail.


Do waterless urinals smell more than conventional water-flushed urinals?
No, they do not – provided that they are properly designed and maintained according to the supplier’s specification.

Three design aspects are important:

  1. Suitable mechanism to block the odour coming back from the sewer or urine storage tank (for example flat rubber tube seal, curtain valve seal, sealant liquid).
  2. Appropriate surface of the urinal bowl (smooth, non-stick).
  3. Correctly designed interrelation between urinal bowl and the drain fitting.

Thorough maintenance routines regarding the bowl and the odour blocking device are essential. In cases where maintenance routines might be neglected, low-maintenance waterless urinals should be selected.
For further information on waterless urinals see our technical data sheet on urine diversion.


How much plant-available macronutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) does the human excreta contain?
The nutrient content of human excreta (urine and faeces) depends on the person’s diet and thus varies between countries. In case of a European, his or her excreta contains an average amount of 4.5 kg nitrogen per person per year and 0.55 kg phosphorus per person per year, as well as potassium, sulphur and other essential micronutrients.
For further information, see our technical data sheet on urine diversion. 


      Contact person

      For further information please contact:
      Dr. Elisabeth von Münch
      Tel: +49 6196 79-4221
      Fax: +49 6196 79-804221
      Email: ecosan@giz.de
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