Namma Toilet

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Government entities in India including the Commisionarate of Municipal Administration, Tamil Nadu, and Union Urban Development Ministry.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Manufactured by Urbane Industries Limited in Chennai, with a modular design including urinals, hand-washing modules, accessible toilets, toilets for children, and toilet partitions for men and women, the ability to connect to an electric grid or have solar panels, the ability to connect to water or have an overhead tank, and the ability to connect to sewer or have a septic tank.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent Protected

User Provision Model

Manufactured by Urbane Industries Limited in Chennai and installed by government entities in communities, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Distributions to Date Status

At least 2,500 toilets have been installed

Design Specifications

The materials used include ceramic pans, stainless steel taps, LED lighting, solar panels, polycarbonate roofs, and stainless steel louvers for air ventilation. Flush tanks are provided in every module and an overhead tank of sufficient capacity (2000 L). The composite material is 14.5 mm thick, and the toilets have been tested with 200 users/day. The module material is fire retardant, acid and alkali proof, water resistant, termite resistant and the paint scratch-resistant. Each module is 3.5 ft x 4 ft in size and 7.5 ft in height, with a 3 ft walkway available in front of the toilet modules and about 2.5 ft in the rear. Women's toilet also has a sanitary disposal unit. The accessible toilets have wider doors, ramp for proper access, grab bars and a raised toilet.

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement Components

Replacement components include module infrastructure, toilet components, and periodic septic emptying.

Lifecycle

Manufacturer specifies a lifetime of 25 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturer-specified performance targets include a lack of smell, scratch-resistant paint, accessible, interior lighting, private, and durable.

Vetted Performance Status

National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmadabad conducted a cultural appropriateness study that influenced the Namma Toilet design, and pilot testing in Tambaram.

Safety

When using a public toilet, fecal-pathogen spread and disease transmission is a serious concern. The manufacturer recommends cleaning the toilets every 3 hours or so with normal cleaning liquids (without the use of any acids or bleaches). Periodic cleaning is required and depends on the usage pattern.

Complementary Technical Systems

An electricity source (or solar panel component), a water source (or overhead tank installation), a sewer system (or septic tank installation).

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Part of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Other Information

Video walkthrough, articles: "Tamil Nadu Flush With Pride," "Namma toilets in poor shape"