Waterloo Market Community Ecosan Toilet, Waterloo, near Freetown

The community of Waterloo is the second largest town in the western area of Sierra Leone (population approximately 20,000), and a suburb of Freetown, located 18 miles east of the capital. Historically, Waterloo got it’s name after being settled by soldiers from the 4th and 2nd West India Regiment from Jamaica and Barbados, who had fought in the Battle of Waterloo in 1812.

The main road from Freetown to Bo, the second city of Sierra Leone, runs through Waterloo, providing a ready livelihood for market traders serving travellers, as well as the population of the town and the surrounding area. Up to 1,000 people a day use this market, which runs directly off the main road, putting huge pressure on the totally inadequate sanitation facilities. This lack of sanitation causes a severe risk to health, pollution of water courses and contamination of drinking water supplies.

We are building an eco-sanitation toilet complex, which will be large enough for both the local traders and visitors to the market. The design is adapted from those successfully used in India, so they will all have a porcelain washing area as an integral part of each unit, and separate sections for men and women. Local labour is being used in the construction, providing a livelihood opportunity for the local community.

Once completed, the ecosan will greatly improve the environment of the market and the wellbeing of all who use it. The success of this construction will act as a positive model for other urban locations in the Freetown area.