World Toilet Summit more than a wee bit important

EXPERTS from four continents are gathering in Belfast this week for the World Toilet Summit to debate issues ranging from the future of public lavatories to anti-social behaviour in washrooms.

But although the event may generate a few sniggers, the Northern Ireland Toilet Association has warned the conference agenda covers major public health issues.

NITA director Raymond Martin said: “I don’t think nuclear war will get us but I think germs will.

“Germs can multiply and mutate so fast and yet the standard of most of these ‘away from home’ toilets is pretty poor.”

Presentations during the conference include “Changing Washroom Behaviour”, “Public Toilet Excellence - The Singapore Model” and “Managing Out Crime in Public Toilets.”

The World Toilet Organisation event, the first to be held in the west, is expected to attract more than 350 delegates from the US, Europe, Australia and the Far East.

During the two-day summit at the Waterfront delegates will also be asked for their contributions to the Belfast Protocol, a policy document which will be presented to governments across the world.

Mr Martin said more management and supervision was needed in public toilets to crackdown on anti-social behaviour, such as graffiti, drug taking and sexual activity.

The NITA director said one of the major problems was caused by the failure of pub and nightclub bosses to provide a sufficient number of toilets for their clientele, resulting in overcrowding at peak times.

In recognition of this, Belfast City Council will tomorrow unveil a new state-of-the-art public toilet at the heart of the main nightlife district.

During the day the urinal fits in a 1.3 metre deep hole beneath the pavement. But at night it rises hydraulically to become a visible unit.

The summit will also see the launch of the Bog Standard campaign for better school toilets and the ceremony for the 2005 Loo of the Year.