Performance Evaluation of Locally Fabricated Improved Pit Latrine Ventilation Systems in Rural Communities of Taraba State

Inadequate sanitation infrastructure in rural North East Nigeria continues to be associated with preventable diseases and environmental contamination, and improved ventilated pit latrines represent one of the most cost-effective sanitation interventions for low-income communities. This study evaluates the ventilation performance and odour reduction effectiveness of three modified vent pipe configurations for improved pit latrines in rural communities of Taraba State. Configuration variants included a standard straight PVC vent pipe, a 45-degree elbow-top design, and a rotating cowl-topped pipe. Field installations were constructed in Ardo Kola local government area, and airflow velocity, temperature differential between pit and vent pipe outlet, and perceived odour intensity were measured. Perceived odour was assessed using a trained panel evaluation protocol under standardised conditions. Results showed that the rotating cowl configuration produced the highest mean airflow velocity of 0.8 metres per second through the vent pipe and the greatest reduction in perceived odour intensity, scoring 78 percent improvement over the unventilated control latrine. The 45-degree elbow design performed comparably to the straight pipe but showed marginal improvement under low wind conditions. Fly emergence counts from pit openings were significantly lower in all ventilated configurations compared to controls. The study provides practical design recommendations for community sanitation programmes in rural Taraba State. Keywords: pit latrine, ventilation performance, rural sanitation, odour reduction, Taraba State.