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The paper describes the bacterial diversity and community structures of a pristine forest soil and an anthropogenic terra preta from the Western Amazonian forest using molecular methods to identify the predominant phylogenetic groups. The survey provides a detailed analysis of the composition and structure of bacterial communities in terra preta anthrosols.

KIM, J. S. ; SPAROVEK, G. ; LONGO, R. M. ; MELO, W. J. de ; CROWLEY, D. (2007): Bacterial diversity of terra preta and pristine forest soil from the Western Amazon. In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry: Volume 39 , 684-690. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This poster illustrates how to transform faecal waste to usable compost.

NETWAS (n.y): Primary and Secondary Processing of Ecosan By-Products. Kampala: Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This diploma thesis describes the production of terra preta (collection, lacto-fermentation, vermicomposting) as a new sanitation concept (in german).

HESTERMANN, N. (2010): Herstellung von Terra Preta bei der Umsetzung ökologischer Sanitärkonzepte. (= Diplomarbeit ). Hamburg Harburg: Techische Universität Hamburg Harburg TUHH) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

Critical article on the sustainability of burning biomass to produce terra preta for climate change mitigation.

KLEINER, K. (2009): The bright prospect of biochar. In: Nature reports climate change: Volume 3 , 72-74. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

Many people in developing countries rely upon untreated groundwater supplies for their drinking water (e.g. from drilled boreholes, tube wells, dug wells or springs). The introduction of on-site sanitation systems might lead to groundwater contamination. The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance on how to assess and reduce the risk of contamination of groundwater supplies from on-site sanitation systems and is aimed at those responsible for planning low cost water supply and sanitation schemes.

ARGOSS (2001): Guidelines for Assessing the Risk to Groundwater from On-Site Sanitation. (= Commissioned Report , 142 ). Keyworth: British Geological Survey URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This presentation introduces the new and innovative concept of the addition of charcoal; lacto-fermentation and subsequent vermicomposting to treat the products of urine diversion dry toilets. The new process is inspired by the practices of the pre-Colombian culture in the Amazonian region that produced highly fertile anthropogenic soil (terra preta).

OTTERPOHL, R. (n.y): a: Terra Preta Sanitation- full reuse in sanitation and bio-waste-management. Hamburg: Institute of Wastewater Management and Protection (aww), Technical University Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This paper gives a short overview on the historical background and the formation of terra preta in the Amazon region. The composition of terra preta and the importance of charcoal and other ingredients for the formation and their carbon sequestration capacity are discussed. There is an outlook on how to recreate this very useful and nutrient rich type of earth in a synthetic way by mentioning current sources and studies.

GLASER, B. ; HAUMAIER, L. ; GUGGENBERGER, G. ; ZECH, W. (2001): The ‘Terra Preta’ phenomenon: a model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics. In: Naturwissenschaften: Volume 88 , 37-41. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This poster illustrates how to use Ecosan toilets and handle faecal compost in a safe way.

NETWAS (n.y): Proper Use and Safe Handling of Ecosan By-Products. Kampala: Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

This article provides detailed information on terra preta, the historical background and the latest ideas and theories of creating a synthetic terra preta.

BALLIETT, A. (2007): Terra Preta. Magic Soil of the Lost Amazon. In: Acres U.S.A. The Voice of Eco-Agriculture: Volume 37 , 16-18. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

The paper provides information on the discoveries of terra preta at various regions within the Amazonas area. The different soils are explained and historical background is given. Besides characteristics of the different soil types a classification is done. Results of different studies concerning the application of the pre-Columbian Indigenous techniques for sustainable land use and field and laboratory research are provided.

SOMBROEK, W. KERN D. RODRIGUEZ, T. CRAVO, M. S. da JARBAS, T. C. WOODS, W. GLASER, B. (2002): Terra Preta and Terra Mulata: pre-Columbian Amazon kitchen middens and agriculture fields, their sustainability and their replication. Thailand: Presentation of 17th WCSS URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

The publication explains the purposes of urine diversion, its benefits and challenges, urine precipitation, urine treatment and reuse in agriculture. Further, it provides an overview on design and operational aspects for equipment needed, such as waterless urinals and urine diversion toilets including supplier information and indicative costs. Overall, it pulls together scattered knowledge around the topic of urine diversion in a concise manner.

MUENCH, E. von WINKER, M. (2011): Technology Review of Urine Diversion Components. Overview of Urine Diversion Components such as Waterless Urinals, Urine Diversion Toilets, Urine Storage and Reuse Systems. Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]

The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of terra preta sanitation (TPS) systems as an alternative sanitation option. The effects of lactic-aid conditions in urine-separation dry toilets and a subsequent treatment by vermicomposting are assessed. Research focused on analysing standard chemical and biochemical properties of the toilet products to evaluate their stability and maturity, and establish nutrient status.

FACTURA, H. ; BETTENDORF, T. ; BUZIE, C. ; PIEPLOW, H. ; RECKIN, J. ; OTTERPOHL, R. (2010): Terra Preta Sanitation: re-discovered from an ancient Amazonian civilisation - integrating sanitation, bio-waste management and agriculture. In: Water Science and Technology, accepted for publication: URL [Accessed: 10.05.2019]

The Atlantis underground tank system is a modular sub surface system that can be constructed to hold any volume required. The sub surface location of the tank frees up space for landscaping or driveway use while also ensuring optimal conditions for retaining water is always maintained. Macro and micro pollutants are completely kept out of the system through an Atlantis Filtration Unit. It is used for infiltration, detention and to store roof top harvested rainwater.

ATLANTIS (n.y): Modular Underground Tanks System. Sidney: Atlantis URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

This document is a broad research study of the environmental effects of Tucuruı ́ Dam in Brazilian Amazonia.

FEARNSIDE, P. (2001): Environmental Impacts of Brazil’s Tucurui Dam: Unlearned Lessons for Hydroelectric Development in Amazonia. In: Environmental Management : Volume 27 , 377–396. URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

This book describes how to construct Arborloo toilets and how it can be upgraded to VIPs at a later stage.

MORGAN, P. EcoSanRes (2009): Ecological Toilets. (pdf presentation). Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

These guidelines are intended to help municipalities, local authorities, consulting engineers, and developers in the planning and design of stormwater management systems in Alberta. They outline the objectives of stormwater management and the available methodologies and concepts for the planning, design, and operation of stormwater drainage systems. In addition to the water quantity aspects of stormwater management, the publication also describes some of the techniques that can be applied for quality management of stormwater.

ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT (1999): Stormwater Management Guidelines for the Province of Alberta. Edmonton: Alberta Environmental Protection URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

This document presents the general overview of small hydropower development and how it can contribute to meet the electricity needs of the national grid as well as the isolated rural areas. It presents a case study from Nepal that shows how a country that relied on external assistance for its hydropower development has now developed its local capability and utilised the internal resources available to develop it hydropower resources, especially the small hydro projects.

BASNYAT, D. (2006): Fundamentals of Small Hydro Power Technologies. Nairobi. Kenya: African Development Bank FINESSE training course on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Poverty Reduction URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

This is one of a series of fact sheets on potential income generating activities.

WHIRISKEY, J. and MC CARTHY, P. (2006): Small-Scale Hydroelectricity. Galway: Teagasc, Mellows Development Centre URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

WILLLIAMS, A. PORTER, S. (2006): Comparison of hydropower options for developing countries with regard to the environmental, social and economic aspects. Washington DC: Proceedings of the International Conference on Renewable Energy for Developing Countries URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]

With the move to a risk based approach to dam safety there has been a concomitant focus on estimating the probability of failure of dams. The majority of risk guidelines relate to the total probability of failure and therefore the individual probabilities estimated for different components and loading conditions need to be combined.

HILL, P. ; BOWLES, D. ; JORDAN, P. ; JORDAN, P. (2003): Estimating overall Risk of Dam Failure: Practical Considerations in Combining Failure Probabilities. In: ANCOLD Bulletin : Volume 127 , 63-72. URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]