About the Project

This project tackles poor sanitation in Jordanian Poverty Pockets, focusing on mobile populations and seasonal workers. It proposes a new, innovative mobile latrine unit designed specifically for their needs. This unit will utilize advanced technologies to create a safe, sustainable, and culturally appropriate sanitation solution, ultimately improving public health, safety, and environmental well-being for these vulnerable communities. Moreover, the project aims at developing skills and education interventions that will improve capacity and capability for safe and innovative engineering in water and sanitation.

This project is funded by an Award made by the Royal Academy of Engineering under its Engineering X: Engineering Skills where they are Most Needed, whose aim is to support the delivery of skills and education programmes that will lead to the development of much needed engineering capacity, enhanced safety standards, and infrastructure that remains safe and fit for purpose where it is most needed as well as improved capacity through skills to adopt and exploit emerging technologies.

What we will do?

This project tackles the challenge of poor sanitation infrastructure in Jordanian Poverty Pockets (PPs), specifically focusing on mobile populations of seasonal workers. We will develop a novel latrine facility unit designed specifically for their needs. This unit will incorporate innovative technologies to address the limitations of current solutions. These features include:

  • Solar panels to provide sustainable power for the unit’s operation.

What we will achieve?

  • Improved public health and reduced risk of infection for PPs by providing safe and sanitary sanitation facilities.
  • Increased safety, especially for women, by offering a secure and private sanitation solution.
  • Environmental sustainability through bio-waste conversion and reduced reliance on chemical treatments.
  • Empowerment of PPs by providing a self-contained sanitation solution that is culturally appropriate and requires minimal maintenance.

How we will do it?

The project will be a collaborative effort between UK and Jordanian partners. Researchers will work closely with the NGO “Future Pioneers” to ensure the design aligns with the cultural and social norms of PPs.

First, we will develop a prototype latrine unit based on the identified needs and incorporating the innovative technologies mentioned above. This prototype will then be tested in real-world settings within Jordanian PPs. Data from the testing will be used to refine the design and ensure its effectiveness and user-friendliness.

Research Activities