Wetlands Work Limited

The most significant obstacle came in 2016 when SE Asia experienced a dramatic drought and lake water was shallow. It was the first time in history when most all floating houses were on mud flats. Our HandyPod design consisted of two “Pods” - an anaerobic septic tank and an aerobic floating hyacinth Pod with pin holes in the bottom to maintain water exchange. Yet, water did not remain in the hyacinth Pod -- the Pod itself became foul and the plants died. What to do when we had already scaled-up 25 such HandyPods in the 35 family village?

A radically new design was called for -- new technology, new materials, new installation design, etc. In a 1-week turn-around WW developed the present HPod design and set about improving it iteratively with the villagers. It is significantly more robust and versatile, and now appropriate for challenging environments on land -- like floodplains, mangroves, beaches, impermeable clay soils, etc. It’s long-lived, easier to make and provides excellent treatment, too. In short, WW's Handy Pod program improved in response to the drought emergency.

Another obstacle, among many, worth noting is finding that our survey responses taken by internationals and urban nationals contained distorted information. Surveys are best done by local/regional people and the question format needs to be as value-free and short as possible.

Finally, we find through experience with our gifted HandyPod school sanitation program that little is valued if it is costless to the recipient. WW was not funded for long term follow-up and support of our pilot demonstration in 10 villages. Yet, even with a maintenance contract signed by the school principals, the program may not be successful long term with unrepaired broken doors, disappearing water buckets and scoops and broken pipes can be the outcome. Some payment is needed to create a sense of vestment and maintenance responsibility.