Ballam-Waterslot has recently developed a long-since-needed pit latrine assembly which presents a positive odourless and hygienic on-site sewage disposal configuration to add to its range of sewage and effluent disposal products.

The new first-time product assembly consists of a 1.200 litre rotationally moulded, water-proof low density polyethylene holding tank (pit liner), complete with an elegant scientifically and aesthetically designed seating pedestal and a 2,5m gauze covered vent pipe.

The tank, in itself, weighs less than 40 Kilos and is thus easily transportable and similarly handled on installation, with the size of the hole required being 1,5m long x 1,3m wide x 1,4m deep. It does not require any special lining or base slab, being that it is a ribbed cylindrical tank located on its side with domed reinforced ends.

The function of the tank is designed to accommodate an average family for a period of not less than three years. When the tank needs to be emptied and should the content have become solidified, a flushing eye of 110mm diameter, complete with screwed cap, has been incorporated in the design to allow induction of water simultaneously as the honeysucker suction pipe is lowered down through the pedestal aperture of 155 mm diameter.

Being that desludging of the tank would only occur at not less than three-yearly intervals, the manufacturer suggests that a water bowser, complete with a petrol-driven high-pressure pump, be a feature of the desludging process. When the waste matter has become emulsified sufficiently for the honeysucker to perform its functional operation, the tank is emptied without any surface unhygienic deposits or foul odours.

Being that the robust shell of the tank is identical to the now well-known Ballam-Waterslot "Poly-Rib" septic tank, and should it be desired at a later stage, it would be a relatively simple matter for the V.I.P. tank to be upgraded to a conventional septic tank.

The manhole of the V.I.P. tank is 450mm in diameter, and it is recommended that the slab covering the tank be so designed as to allow for the lid and pedestal assembly to be completely removed at a later stage, for the purpose of removing any trash which may have been placed in the tank.

It is felt that the introduction of the completely waterproof tank (pit liner) will be especially welcomed by Water Affairs, and all environmentalists, in that the tank provides a positive guard against subterranean water pollution.

The element risk of the V.I.P. tank "popping out" of the ground when empty (in high water table areas) is minimal, by virtue of the manufacturer's recommended compaction over certain areas of the tank, and the weight of the concrete top structure such as those manufactured by Fraser Fyfe, Afri-Loo, Vula Civil Engineering, Rocla, or similar masonry top structures.

A further important recommendation by the manufacturer is that the top structure door be locked on all occasions, and the key held by a responsible person, to avoid trash being placed in the tank by vandals.

The Company is geared up for mass production, although singular sales are welcome; the price for the assembly, to be given on request, will depend on the quantity envisaged.

In fact, it is ideally suitable for informal settlements, rural sanitation, low-cost housing, farming areas, guard posts and all other areas where water-borne sewage disposal systems would be unavailable.

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