Most of the developing countries extract water from the shallow water table for drinking and other activities. Pit latrines/toilet pits and drinking water wells are located in the same land in such countries.
Safe distances between wells and pit latrines are varied from location to location depending on the soil type, hydrogeological condition of the ground, and the elevation of the toilet pit. In practice, this distance varies from 15 m to 30 m in accordance with guidelines provided by the local authorities in developing counties. Viruses are very small compared to other microorganisms so that they can be pass through the porous soils easily.
Behaviors/stability of Coronavirus in the shallow water table are being studied. I would like to discuss this matter with the latest findings.
A. "Viruses are very small compared to other microorganisms ...."
Viruses are not categorised as a microorganism.
Dear Amila,
Thank you. Yes. I know that. This is only for the size comparison.
In Kenya, pit latrines and wells are less than 10 metres apart in most peri-urban areas. Since most of the effluent from bathrooms end up in pit latrine or septic tank contains soap. I think the soap will be able to reduce the fatty acids in the virus and hence destroy. My hypothesis is that mixing of well water and pit latrines effluent is likely to reduce the power of the virus.
The distance also depends on the slope of the land on which pit latrine and wells found
Even though it is difficult to draw an exact line, It is essential to establish guidelines considering various factors such as land slope, distance, soil type, porosity, organic matter content, oxidation-reduction potential, aerobic and anaerobic conditions, pH, etc.
Thank you Lamma Feyissa Irman Idrus Kiprotich Kiptum Amila Abeynayaka
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