Sevanthilingapuram on the banks of the sacred River Cauvery, about 35Kms from Trichy on Trichy- Musiri road, consists of three habitations, Sevanthilingapuram North with 201 dwellings, Sevanthilingapuram south with 87 dwellings, and Umayalpuram with 96 houses. Only 42 out of 246 houses occupied had toilets. Hence 80% of the villagers were forced to defecate in the open mostly on the banks of the River Cauvery and an irrigation canal flowing in Sevanthilingapuram.

The residents were interested in having toilets in their houses but due to water logging, pit latrines promoted under the TSC were not feasible in the village. Septic tank latrines were too costly for them.


Residents of Sevanthilingapuram on seeing the excellent performance of the ECOSAN Compost Toilets in near by Kaliyapalayam were keen to go for ECOSAN Compost Toilets with financial support from UNICEF and State Government. So far in two phases 138 ECOSAN Compost Toilets have been constructed. With the help Auro Annam of Auroville (Pandichery) on the final phase ECOSAN Compost Toilets have been constructed in the 63 house also Sevanthilingapuram earning the distinction of being the First ECOSAN Village in the country.