When we were conceptualizing Project WISE in 2018, we knew that improved toilets had to be a part of the scope of work. Though Splash initially focused on providing clean, safe water for kids, it quickly became clear that water alone was not sufficient. Hygiene, toilets, and menstrual health all factored into a suite of projects under the banner of WASH-M (water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health).

We had done some work rehabilitating toilets in South and East Asia, but had not designed and built our own, which is what we planned to do as part of Project WISE in Ethiopia.

In Addis Ababa, the existing school toilets often fall short—doors that barely close, structures rusting from frequent use, and girls left feeling unsafe. Often, boys’ toilets are stripped down to bare slabs, with basic privacy sacrificed. Most schools require pit emptying, as utilities have not yet extended sewerage systems into these areas. The process itself is a logistical challenge—imagine waste removal trucks navigating rugged terrains and narrow roads to reach schools.

We’ve even encountered a school located just a few miles from the airport that requires an hour and a half’s drive by car. This school, equipped with new toilets (not designed by Splash), reverted to open defecation within six months because pit emptying didn’t happen on time. The toilets quickly deteriorated—rusted doors that wouldn’t close, overflowing stalls—leaving girls with no choice but to seek privacy in nearby forests. It’s an indignity no child should endure.

Toilets at a school before Splash

Our initial designs came to life through a collaboration between Stantec, a global engineering firm, and Metaferia, a local firm in Ethiopia. While Stantec brought tried-and-tested engineering approaches, Metaferia helped shape these ideas into something that resonated with Ethiopian culture and resources. Together, they crafted an original design that featured locally sourced wood and tile, resulting in a beautiful, welcoming space. There was treatment underneath the toilets, so schools would not have to worry about connecting to sewage lines (if they existed) or hiring a pit emptying service to remove waste. But these designs cost $14,000 per stall, or $140,000 for a ten-stall block at a school. To a government, this cost is astronomically high. So, we decided to use the design as the starting point and build a reductionist model from there, cutting costs in the process.

Original rendering of toilet block

We brought per-stall costs down to $5,000, yet we still found ourselves at odds with government funding limitations and donor expectations. For us, $5,000 per stall was reasonable—it ensured quality, safety, and comfort, particularly for young girls. But for the government, that cost was unsustainable, and our design required adjustments.

Determined to keep the core features intact, we launched an internal challenge for our engineers: create a toilet block that remains dignified but affordable. Through this, we reduced the cost per stall to $3,000 by scaling down certain features—lowering walls, simplifying ventilation, and using alternative materials. Still, this balance kept the essentials: lockable doors, proper ventilation, and sanitation features designed with dignity and privacy in mind.

But as funding pressures intensified, we faced yet another hurdle. Funders compared our designs to existing sanitation projects that, while cost-effective, lack the safety and privacy children deserve. The budget constraint became even tighter with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as governments redirected funds to urgent needs. By shrinking the footprint and further minimizing features, we brought the cost to about $1,850 per stall—right in line with government budgets. Even so, we were proud to create a safe, sanitary environment that surpassed the usual standards in Addis Ababa schools. And, the government adopted this design as their standard sanitation design in any future schools being built.

While this version of toilet design wasn’t quite the same as our initial vision, especially in terms of space and ventilation, the core of our mission remained: ensuring safety, sanitation, and dignity.

New toilet block at a school in Addis Ababa, constructed in 2024

If we’re honest, true infrastructure requires real investment. Systems change is essential, but without physical infrastructure, no one actually receives the benefits. When infrastructure fails, how can systems change truly matter? This issue highlights the budgetary challenges we face, with sanitation infrastructure and water security among our most significant expenses.

We have been able to balance the minimum viable design—a functional, safe, and private toilet facility—with very real and very inflexible budget constraints.

Our guiding question has always been this: Would we let our own children use these toilets? And if the answer isn’t a resounding “yes,” then we must push ourselves to create a solution that meets that standard.

We believe in building toilets that provide a safe, clean, and dignified experience. Sanitation facilities are a commitment to children’s dignity, health, and education. With continued collaboration, we can create spaces that children deserve—safe, dignified, and reliable. We may still face funding challenges, but our dedication to children’s well-being will always drive us to innovate, push boundaries, and stand firm on quality.

Learn more about Splash's latest work here!