Which two features are required together for longer holding times?

• A. 100 foot deep latrines and 4 hole latrines
• B. 50 foot deep latrines and 2 hole latrines
• C. 200 foot deep latrines and 4 holes
• D. No latrine depth specified

Answer: (A)

Holding time is about how long waste can be stored in the latrine before it fills up. The longer waste stays in the system, the longer the holding time. This depends on how much storage capacity the latrine has. A very deep pit increases the volume it can hold, and having more holes means waste is distributed across several pits, adding up to an even larger total capacity. Put together, a very deep latrine with multiple holes provides more storage and slows the rate of filling, leading to longer holding times. If the pits aren’t that deep or there are fewer holes, the total storage is smaller, so holding time would be shorter. If depth isn’t specified, you can’t guarantee a longer holding time.