Ecological:
Ecological sanitation requires far less water to operate, and it does not dispose of human excreta into water bodies. Because less water is needed to flush toilets, less water is needed to serve households, up to 60,000 litres for a family of four. This represents a huge ecological and financial saving in water withdrawals for households. On the other hand, nearly all sewage in developing countries is discharged into receiving bodies of water with no treatment. In addition to the spread of human excreta into the environment, industrial pollutants are spread as well when industrial wastes are connected to household sewer systems, as is commonly done. Pit latrines can also leach nutrients and pathogens into ground water and disperse into the environment during floods. In either case water environments are contaminated, spreading pathogens and other toxicants to those downstream. Wastewater and sludge, if returned to irrigate crops, are notorious for spreading pathogens and increasing the risk for infectious diseases to workers and consumers, which overburdens existing stretched health care systems. Nutrients in water lead to other environmental, and ultimately, financial problems. Fish stocks decline and die-off, reducing a source of income and high quality food. Coral reefs die, reducing coastal wave barriers that eventually lead to coastal damage. In addition, tourism dollars are reduced as these localities become less desirable as holiday spots.