What is a privy?

A privy is characterized as a non-water carriage method for human waste disposal, which typically means it does not rely on water flow or plumbing systems like modern toilets do. Historically, privies were often simple pits or vaults that collected human waste, and they may be located outdoors, often in rural or undeveloped areas.

This method of waste disposal is significant in the study of sanitation as it reflects older practices that predate current sewage systems. Unlike modern sewage treatment facilities or septic systems that utilize significant water flow and require more complex infrastructure, a privy is quite basic and operates on the principle of containment without the need for water to transport waste. This context helps illustrate why the designation of a privy as a non-water carriage system is the most accurate description among the available choices.