In association with Baja Christian Ministries

Building Houses and Latrines in Baja California Mexico
 

HOW TO BUILD A BAJA LATRINE

GROUND WORK

Update!
Since building latrines has become a regular part of many different groups, the ground work part of the latrine is now done by local Mexican workers under Pastor Hectors guidance.
Your team will only have to build the outhouse part of the latrines and provide the toilet and seat.
However, if you want to do the entire job or your group is working in other parts of the world, here is the information.

The first thing is to make a concrete base plate:

This base is poured usually a week or so before is is set on the concrete blocks that we have installed in the hole.  It is 4'x4' and has two holes. One for the fiberglass toilet and one for the 4" vent pipe.  The hole for the toilet is made using a metal form I made that is slightly larger than the toilet.  You could use the actual toilet if you don't want to go to the trouble of making the form.

You must keep in mind the door and vent pipe location.  You must orient the vent pipe so that it gets the most daytime sun.  Due South is best.  Try not to have the latrine hole dug to close the the South property line as it will be hard to get good sun on the vent pipe.

The form is made with 2"x4"s to a 4'x4' square and the 1/2" plywood is set in the bottom to provide a flat, square bottom.  The rebar is cut and placed in the form, wired together then raised on some small rocks.  After the concrete is mixed and poured into the form, we trowel it smooth.  We also add 8, 6"x1/2" 'j' bolts to secure the outhouse to the plate.

It is very important the the family is instructed to keep the plate wet. In very dry areas like El Nino, this may take watering every hour for a few days.  They will have to buy the water so I normally give them enough extra peso's to pay for the water.  Make sure they understand how important this is.  Should the plate dry to fast, it may crack or worse, break.

Step One Materials Needed: 

2  2"x4"x 4'
2  2"x4"x4'3"
1  1/2"  4'x4' plywood
1&1/2 sacks of cement
1 scoop of sand and gravel mix
1  3/8"x20' rebar
1  4" ABS connector
Toilet or mold for toilet hole.

Next have the hole dug 7' or 8' deep and line it with concrete blocks 4'x4' (outside to outside).  Rebar is added to the block cells that get filled with concrete.

We fill the gaps in the top three courses but leave the lower gaps for liquid dissipation.  This is also done a week before to allow the concrete to cure.

Step Two Materials Needed: 

120 concrete blocks
2 sacks of cement
6 3/8"x20' rebar

Wait a week then strip the forms and place the plate.

Mix up the remaining concrete mortar.  Fill the empty spaces in the cells and skim coat the top three courses of the blocks.  Add a thick layer of mortar as a seal and place the plate on the blocks.  Level and use remaining mortar to seal the outside of the blocks to the plate.

This part of the plans are subject to your interpretation.  You can build the outhouse out of locally available materials or download the plans from this site.

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Last modified: April 06, 2007