Waste Water Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Eco-Friendly Toilets”.
1. What is the amount required to build a concrete septic tank?
a) Rs 30,000
b) Rs 60,000
c) Rs 80,000
d) Rs 1,00,000
Answer: a
Clarification: Low water table means pit toilets, constructed under the government’s sanitation programme, do not work. Water collected in the pit cannot percolate down because the soil is already saturated with water. Rs 30,000-40,000 is needed to build a concrete septic tank, where water flows out into a drain instead of percolating down.
2. What is the population that lacks access to sanitation in India?
a) 100 million
b) 200 million
c) 400 million
d) 600 million
Answer: d
Clarification: In India, nearly 600 million people lack access to adequate sanitation, increasing the risk of groundwater contamination. According to the World Bank, diseases like diarrhea can kill approximately 800,000 children, under age five, every year and leaves millions malnourished and stunted.
3. What is the expected year to achieve 100% sanitation?
a) 2010
b) 2015
c) 2020
d) 2022
Answer: d
Clarification: In an effort to address this absence of sanitation, which is especially acute in rural areas that lack access to water and sewage infrastructure, the Indian government has set the target of 100% sanitation by 2022 and is working to boost cleanliness and end open defecation in the country.
4. What is the power of solar panels used in glaciers?
a) 200 watt
b) 240 watt
c) 280 watt
d) 350 watt
Answer: b
Clarification: In glaciers, temperature is around -40°C. Toilets are fitted with solar panels of 240 watt to keep the excreta warm for processing.
5. What is the average amount of water required for normal flushing?
a) 6 litres
b) 9 litres
c) 12 litres
d) 15 litres
Answer: b
Clarification: The toilet flushes itself before and after every use, using a minimum amount of water that is determined through sensors: On an average, each flush uses 1.5 litres of water, compared to the 8-10 litres used by a normal flush.
6. What is the number of chambers in UDDT toilets?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8
Answer: a
Clarification: EcoSan or UDDT toilets make great individual toilets for areas where digging the ground is highly complicated. UDDT is built above the ground level using conventional bricks or hollow blocks. It has two chambers – the urine, faeces and cleansing water go into separate holes.
7. What is the duration of use of each UDDT chamber?
a) 10 months
b) 12 months
c) 14 months
d) 16 months
Answer: b
Clarification: UDDT has two chambers – the urine, faeces and cleansing water go into separate holes. The floor of the chamber is also paved with concrete to prevent water or soil coming into contact with the faeces. Each chamber will be used for about 12 months alternatively.
8. What is the maximum amount of water consumption per flush to certify toilets in North America?
a) 1.5 gallons
b) 1.6 gallons
c) 1.8 gallons
d) 2.0 gallons
Answer: b
Clarification: In Canada, there is the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the US has the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as well as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These associations set the standard for water consumption in North America and will only certify toilets which meet their requirements of 6 Litres or 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
9. Flush toilets work well because of a part called “the S bend” or “the siphon”.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: There is a part in flush toilets called “the S bend” or “the siphon”. This part is located within the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. This tube is shaped like an S and connects to the sewer plumbing under the toilet.
10. Flush toilets are said to be more sanitary than squat toilets.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Squat toilets are said to be more sanitary than flush toilets as there is no contact with the toilet and it is also said to be less expensive and easier to clean and maintain.
11. What is the percentage of the world lacking access to toilets?
a) 23 %
b) 35 %
c) 42 %
d) 56 %
Answer: b
Clarification: Infrastructure and cost of conventional toilets are high. Conventional toilets are not suitable for developing countries. 35% of the world’s population lacks access to toilets.