Sani Blair toilet pan

THE most common toilet facility that is prevalent in Zimbabwe’s rural and periurban communities is the pit-latrine with a squat hole as opposed to the conventional P-Trap toilet pan with a pedestal, seat and lid. This squat hole toilet structure was constructed by the Rhodesian colonial masters for both the African townships and the so-called servants’ quarters behind their urban homes throughout the country.

This was typical of all black residential areas from Mutare to Plumtree. The white Rhodesian planners would sometimes “improve” the squat hole toilet by constructing a concrete structure over the hole.

This did not improve the user’s posture as they continued to climb on to this concrete slab as opposed to sitting on it.

Associated Product Manufacturers (Pvt) Ltd T/A Sanitation Services have a patent product-the sani blair toilet plan that is placed on top of the squat hole and instantly the user benefits from the comfort derived as this pan is fitted with a seat and lid.

For those households with running water, the sani blair toilet pan can be connected to an ordinary cistern so that the waste can be flushed into an existing sewer system or septic tank/soak away.

Management at Sanitation Services take pride in having converted thousands of pit latrine toilets from squat to sani blair toilet pan status since 1987 when the company was founded.

For rapid installation of the sani blair toilet pan, Sanitation Services manufactures the reinforced squat plate, fibreglass, with a toilet pan seat and lid together with a vent pipe and gauze wire to prevent flies.

This product has enabled building contractors to fast-track the provision of blair toilet units as there is no need for a concrete slab which takes time to set.

They also manufacture, at their factory in Graniteside, Harare, portable chemical toilet units for use at those functions where there are no sanitary facilities nor running water.

Main features are: each unit comes with a lockable door and is fitted with a plastic seat and lid, water cistern for flushing, handwash basin and tap.

The toilet also comes with a holding container for waste — no need to dig holes at venue. The toilet bowl is designed to conceal waste. The unit is made out of fibre glass.

They have also designed portable chemical toilet units for underground mine use and the company boasts of having supplied such toilet units to reputable Zimbabwean mining houses large and small. Their products have a lifespan of 25 years if they are used properly.

In addition, Sanitation Services manufactures ladies sanitary towel disposal bins for use in ladies toilets.

They carry out the disposal of sanitary waste and offer appropriate incineration services. The sani bins (fibre glass) come with either a hand chute or foot pedal.

Sanitation Services also distributes bins that have a mechanism which facilitates opening and closing without direct contact between the user and the waste material in the bin.

The service is provided on a hire basis in various cities including Harare, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo.