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I think you're deliberately misrepresenting what I meant. The current PM of India campaigned on a "Clean India" effort to tackle open-air defecation by buildin

I think you're deliberately misrepresenting what I meant. The current PM of India campaigned on a "Clean India" effort to tackle open-air defecation by building millions of toilets. Now, you can argue the efficacy of this effort, but arguably, the entire scheme requires adequate means to actually flush the toilets, which requires water, which requires infrastructure. All I meant is that efforts to minimize the amount of water required (i.e. the coating in the article) could be helpful here. Another place where this can be helpful is in areas that aren't covered by sewage infrastructures, like houses that are on septic tanks, or campgrounds/parks with outhouses. I'm not an expert on this matter, I'm just suggesting that I can see how it might be helpful.

hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
> the entire scheme requires adequate means to actually flush the toilets, which requires water The vast, vast majority of these toilets are basically just holes in the ground. They do not flush.
- HorizonXP 7y ago
  Exactly. In our village, it was a latrine. We were lucky enough to have ceramic ones. When I first encountered this as a 4 year old, I was so disgusted with the idea of squatting over a latrine that my parents had to have a Western toilet installed in our house in the village. When I returned at 10 years old, I was more amenable to the idea. Every time you had to go, you had to fill a bucket of water from the well, and carry it with you to the outhouse. Then you’d squat over the latrine, do your deed, and then use a cup (a lota) to pour water over your backside, using the other hand to help rinse. Heaven forbid you had to do all of this at night. When I got back to Canada, it was the toilet that I missed the most. Now, I appreciate the sheer convenience and modern marvel that is modern plumbing and sewage.
adrianN 7y ago
Composting toilets seem much better suited for locations with scarce water, or scarce water infrastructure.

hn_throwaway_99 7y ago

> the entire scheme requires adequate means to actually flush the toilets, which requires water The vast, vast majority of these toilets are basically just holes in the ground. They do not flush.

HorizonXP 7y ago
Exactly. In our village, it was a latrine. We were lucky enough to have ceramic ones. When I first encountered this as a 4 year old, I was so disgusted with the idea of squatting over a latrine that my parents had to have a Western toilet installed in our house in the village. When I returned at 10 years old, I was more amenable to the idea. Every time you had to go, you had to fill a bucket of water from the well, and carry it with you to the outhouse. Then you’d squat over the latrine, do your deed, and then use a cup (a lota) to pour water over your backside, using the other hand to help rinse. Heaven forbid you had to do all of this at night. When I got back to Canada, it was the toilet that I missed the most. Now, I appreciate the sheer convenience and modern marvel that is modern plumbing and sewage.

adrianN 7y ago

Composting toilets seem much better suited for locations with scarce water, or scarce water infrastructure.