12 feet of trench (six straddle trench latrines) are needed for each 100 women. The
trenches should be at least two feet apart. There are no seats in this type of latrine, but
boards may be placed along both sides of the trench to provide better footing. Toilet
paper should be placed on suitable holders and protected from bad weather by a tin can
or other covering. Handwashing devices and urinals should be located near the latrine.
The earth removed in digging each trench is piled at the end of the trench and a shovel
or paddle is provided. This is done so that each person can promptly cover his excreta
and toilet paper. When the unit is ready to leave the area or when the straddle trenches
are filled to within one foot of the surface, the trenches are closed in the manner
described in paragraph 4-9.
Figure 4-4. Straddle trench latrines (tentage covering cut away).
4-11. DEEP PIT LATRINE
a. Latrine Box. The deep pit latrine is used with a latrine box (fig 4-5). The
standard type box provides two seats and is four feet long and two and one-half feet
wide at the base. A unit of 100 men requiring eight feet of latrine space will need two
latrine boxes. The holes should be covered with fly-proof self-closing lids. All cracks
should be fly-proofed with strips of wood or tin nailed over them. A metal deflector
should be placed inside the front of the box to prevent urine from soaking into the wood.
A prefabricated two-seat latrine box is available through normal supply channels. Four-
seat latrine boxes can be constructed by units if desired.
MD0535
4-8