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The Hanging Outhouse of Vanadzor: Relief is Just a River Away
Mariam Mughdusyan
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/20831/the-hanging-outhouse-of-vanadzor-relief-is-just-a-river-away.html
10:42, November 23, 2012
Some residents of Vanadzor have taken the term `outhouse' to the extreme.
Perched atop the Pampak River, the tin toilet affords passersby in
need of relief a pleasant oasis to do their duty. And, unlike many
other public toilets inArmenia, it's free of charge.
The outhouse is located next to a local spring called Kantso, a
popular picnic area.
We asked around to find out if the Vanadzor Municipality knew about
the unique outhouse.
Arshavir Ghoukasyan, from the local planning board, first claimed that
the area didn't belong to the municipality, but later changed his
story, arguing that the outhouse hadn't been approved.
The official said he would look into the matter and see whether the
toilet adheres to sanitary standards and doesn't violate environmental
norms.
Local residents I spoke to argued that the toilet was `eco-friendly'
as it used water drawn from the river for cleaning purposes.
Perhaps the wastes of one toilet will not make much of an impact on
the Pampak River, but just imagine what would happen if the concept
took off an a string of hanging outhouses soon appeared on the river.
Mariam Mughdusyan
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/20831/the-hanging-outhouse-of-vanadzor-relief-is-just-a-river-away.html
10:42, November 23, 2012
Some residents of Vanadzor have taken the term `outhouse' to the extreme.
Perched atop the Pampak River, the tin toilet affords passersby in
need of relief a pleasant oasis to do their duty. And, unlike many
other public toilets inArmenia, it's free of charge.
The outhouse is located next to a local spring called Kantso, a
popular picnic area.
We asked around to find out if the Vanadzor Municipality knew about
the unique outhouse.
Arshavir Ghoukasyan, from the local planning board, first claimed that
the area didn't belong to the municipality, but later changed his
story, arguing that the outhouse hadn't been approved.
The official said he would look into the matter and see whether the
toilet adheres to sanitary standards and doesn't violate environmental
norms.
Local residents I spoke to argued that the toilet was `eco-friendly'
as it used water drawn from the river for cleaning purposes.
Perhaps the wastes of one toilet will not make much of an impact on
the Pampak River, but just imagine what would happen if the concept
took off an a string of hanging outhouses soon appeared on the river.