Considering the difficulty to obtain water and the lack of sewage systems in peri-urban areas of Cochabamba, Bolivia, one of the solutions in basic sanitation that AGUATUYA has implemented is the urine diverting toilets. In order to help more families adopt the Ecological Sanitation approach and based on the experience in building ecological toilets in different neighborhoods, the Foundation has developed constructive models that maintain the essence of the concept and yet adapt to the expectations, economic possibilities and uses of the families of peri-urban areas of Cochabamba.

The ecological toilets are ideal for these areas where no sewer or water is available, they can be built on the patio or indoors, they are cheap, clean, comfortable, and reduce water usage and contamination.

These urine diverting toilets are specially designed to collect and store faeces and urine in separate containers. Urine diluted with water can be used as a plant fertilizer and faeces can be added directly as a soil conditioner after processing or storing for at least several months to ensure pathogen destruction; therefore recovering and recycling nutrients.

The families of the peri-urban neighborhoods that adopted the urine diverting toilets and learned how to use them properly in workshops with the AGUATUYA team, are satisfied with this sanitation solution; they feel safe and comfortable now that they have privacy. The river is no longer their only option.