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I have no direct experience of using oil-drums for lining pit-latrines. I suspect however that their life will be low – welding will damage any protective coating that there is and the conditions in a pit latrine, especially in the splash zone just above the liquid level will be ideal for corrosion. WEDC also suggest that the relatively small diameter means that the storage volume is low. I would be cautious! Properly burnt brick-lined pit latrines are indeed expensive but I would suggest sometimes that one has to accept that good sanitation has a cost, and that bad sanitation has an even higher one. If you think of a trial, perhaps in your own compound rather than with beneficiaries – if it goes better than I suspect, then people will come clamouring – if as bad as I suspect, then the example can be used to support the higher cost of bricks.

Regards,

Tim