Pit latrines are one of the most common forms of onsite sanitation facilities in many
developing countries. These latrines are suitable as a means of isolating human waste,
however, conditions within pits often lead to nitrification of the contained waste. In areas with
a near-surface aquifer, the potential for nitrate pollution arising from pit latrines cannot be
ignored. In this study, site visits were made to three densely populated, peri-urban areas
near three West African cities (Dakar, Abidjan, Abomey-Calavi) to gather relevant …