In the face of intensifying climate challenges, the Equitable and Sustainable WASH services in Bangladesh Delta Plan Hotspots (2022-2026) Project explores sanitation options for the Haor region—Bangladesh's low-lying wetland ecosystem that remains submerged for nearly half the year.
Published on: 10/08/2025
In the face of intensifying climate challenges, the Equitable and Sustainable WASH services in Bangladesh Delta Plan Hotspots (2022-2026) Project—implemented by BRAC, with support from IRC, and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands—has been working to improve access to safe water and sanitation for communities in four climate hotspots. A special focus has been given to the Haor region—Bangladesh’s low-lying wetland ecosystem that remains submerged for nearly half the year.
The Haor region faces unique difficulties: frequent seasonal flooding, lack of dry land, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Most households rely on makeshift toilets that are rebuilt every year and often get washed away during floods—leading to widespread contamination and increased risk of disease.
Technical Note 01: Sanitation Options for Haor Areas: Low-Cost Pit Latrine Options
The first paper introduces three affordable and scalable pit latrine models tailored for the Haor context:
Single Direct Pit: A simple and inexpensive solution, though difficult to empty.
Single Offset Pit: More advanced, allowing easier emptying and more durable construction.
Alternating Twin Offset Pits: The most sustainable of the three, this model allows safe and periodic emptying after waste has decomposed. Each of these options emphasizes elevation above flood levels, pit lining for structural integrity, and water seals to reduce odour and prevent vector transmission.
Technical Note 02: Sanitation Options for Haor Areas: Septic Tanks for One to Five Families
Building on the earlier work, the second paper proposes small-scale septic tank systems for individual and clustered households:
Single-Family Septic Tanks: Built with prefabricated concrete rings and soakaway pits, these systems are suitable where space and household size are limited.
Multi-Family Septic Tanks (2–5 households): These use brick and concrete structures and are connected via small-diameter PVC pipes. They balance cost-effectiveness with operational simplicity.
The paper outlines clear design, construction, and maintenance guidance and highlights the need for safe emptying practices in remote and flood-prone environments. Emptying is expected to be done manually, with strict safety protocols in place.
These technical papers serve as practical guides for implementing resilient sanitation in the Haor area. Through prototyping and local engagement, the BRAC-IRC partnership aims not only to transform sanitation access in Haor areas but also to generate replicable knowledge for other flood-affected regions.
