Sanitary Module in Argentina

The project achievement to build Sanitary Modules for 60 families, impacting a total of 248 people.

The families that received their Sanitary Module have emergency housing built by TECHO Argentina. They did not have a bathroom integrated into the home (this implies a lack of personal hygiene and self-care habits and a high risk of disease); they use a part of the house as a kitchen (this implies a risk of fire and dirt).

The families participated in the entire process of the project: censuses, monetary contribution and construction of a pit, the unloading of materials (which is carried out with community help and where they must get family and friends to help) and finally the completion of the constructions, which are the instances where the work done is reflected and where the whole family must participate and add friends from the neighborhood to help with the work.

The construction of the sanitary module, attached to the existing house, reorganizes the living spaces. By adding 2 specific rooms to the house, families redistribute the spaces and their use. This helps provide privacy spaces, reduce overcrowding, promiscuity and improve general cleanliness, personal hygiene and as a final consequence, the health of people.

The structure of the sanitary module is made of wood and is mounted on piles. The roof includes glass wool (insulation) and coating. The interior is divided into a space for the bathroom and another for the kitchen, and includes the following components:

• Installation of hot and cold water in both spaces
• Sewerage with the corresponding siphons
• Ceramic toilet
• Electric heater
• Shower and shower enclosure
• Lavatory
• Kitchen sink
• Electrical installation with thermal, circuit breaker and copper rod

In flooded areas, the installation of a biodigester is included that allows the treatment of the sewage discharge without being affected by the raising of the groundwater.