Daniel Hurtado has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and is currently working on his M.S. in Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech. Danny began his service as a water/sanitation engineer in Panama in September, 2002.

His assignment is located in the town of Kusapìn that is located on the tip of a peninsula that jets out into the Carribean. The population is somewhere around 2,500. The town overlooks a cove that has both a long beach and rock cliffs. He works on water supply/treatment and latrine projects for surrounding communities.

Research

Compost Latrines in Rural Panama: Design, Construction and Evaluation of Pathogen Removal, Daniel Hurtado, March, 2005
Access to proper sanitation is a basic step towards sustainable development, and crucial to the health of any community. Due to the high water table and copious amount of rainfall found in many coastal areas, standard ventilated improved pit latrines may not be a feasible technology for sanitation problems in the developing world. Because the compost latrine described in this report is constructed above ground with a concrete base, it is feasible for any waterlogged or high-water-table area. This report provides the development worker, who believes compost latrines can be a solution to sanitation problems, with knowledge to successfully implement a compost latrine project. Detailed instruction on the design and construction of a double vault compost latrine is provided, the various mechanisms responsible for pathogen removal in a compost latrine are described in detail, and these mechanisms are incorporated into recommended operational procedures that can then effectively reduce the concentration of fecal pathogens in composted human manure, while producing a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Review Abstract (PDF File)
Complete Report (5.4 Mb PDF File)