ALTERNATIVE TOILETS Options for Conservation and Specific Site Conditions

Summer 2000 Vol. 11, No. 3 SMAL AL L N F L O I O T W A S N C L E E S A U Pipeline R I N G H O Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public ALTERNATIVE TOILETS Options for Conservation and Specific Site Conditions ow often do we think about of these toilet designs have developed toilets? Probably pretty beyond their use in vacation and travel rarely, and why would we? vehicles. They have become part of a HToilets provide a convenience most strategy to reduce the amount of potable Americans take for granted. water used for waste disposal. But the standard porcelain fixture Water conservation isn’t the only rea- we’re accustomed to has been changing son that toilet alternatives have evolved. in these times of water quality protec- Certain site conditions or lack of a water tion and conservation. Manufacturers are supply may make the traditional septic designing alternative toilets that use much tank and soil absorption field unsuitable less water and some models that use no for a home or public restroom facility’s Each toilet has certain features that water at all. wastewater (effluent) disposal. These may make one design more appropriate Old-fashioned, water-guzzling toilets problems force a landowner to explore than another for a family’s lifestyle. of the past consumed up to five gallons of other effluent disposal methods. Some toilets are better suited for infre- water per flush. (See table 1 on page 2.) In addition to alternative effluent quent-use situations, such as in vacation Many households still use these dinosaurs. treatment processes, a variety of efficient, cottages or recreational vehicles. And Obsolete toilet designs contribute to the low-flow or waterless toilet systems are some, like the composting toilet, require estimated 9,000 gallons of potable water available that can resolve the dilemma a commitment to maintain and remove that a person uses to flush away 130 gallons of unsuitable site conditions. Toilet options composted waste material from the of human waste a year. That’s an awful include composting, incinerating, chemical, storage tank. Privies and portable lot of good, clean water swirling down and oil flush toilets, and privies. toilets are most often used in parks, the commode. at large outdoor gatherings, or on con- Twenty years ago toilet manufacturers struction sites. began to reduce their tank capacities This issue of Pipeline discusses the to a maximum of 3.5 gallons per flush. previously mentioned types of alternative This reduction in tank size helped toilets, where they may best be used, and lower water consumption somewhat. contacts for additional information. Due Today’s standard low-flow toilets use to space constraints, we cannot present a mere 1.6 gallons of water per flush, a comprehensive discussion of all types and the ultra-low-flow or microflush of alternative toilets in this newsletter. designs use even less. Studies show It is not the National Small Flows that this reduction in water usage has Clearinghouse’s (NSFC) intention to not reduced the flushing capability of endorse one product over another, but these toilets in many models. to inform the readers of options on the Owners of boats, recreational vehi- market. With this information, con- cles, and campers are already sumers can better decide familiar with some which toilet character- alternative toilet sys- istics may be most tems. Ultra-low-flow, appropriate in their vacuum, and chemical individual circum- toilets have been used stances. for years in these lim- ited spaces. Today some Alternative Toilets Toilet Options: Ultra-low-flow Important! Toilet systems in buildings without in new construction and normal access to public sewage that discharge replacement, the U.S. is expect- human waste must have some treat- ed to save 7.6 billion gallons of ment system in place, whether a hold- water per day by 2020. ing tank for subsequent pumping and Some toilet manufacturers disposal or an onsite sewage treatment system. Homes and facilities using have taken water reduction fur- toilets that do not discharge waste- ther with ultra-low-flow models. water, still need to have a treatment (See figure 1.) These toilets can system in place to treat and dispose use as little as 0.25 gallons per of all other household wastewater. flush. Products vary in that they may have narrower bowls with a smaller water surface, manu- ally controlled water flow (via a foot pedal) into the bowl, or sewage capacity flowing into publicly water pumps to assist in bowl maintained systems. Ultra-low-flow emptying and cleaning. toilets may make building in these areas One model eliminates the possible. Similarly, facilities (like resort “S” trap of a conventional toi- hotels) facing expansion difficulties due to the size of their existing onsite systems Figure 1. This ultra-low-flow toilet from Microphor in Willits, let design, enabling waste to be California, uses 0.5 gallons of water per flush. washed down using less water. may install ultra-low-flow toilets, thus Another product flushes by enabling their present onsite systems to opening a hinged flap to let wastes and adequately treat the reduced wastewater Ultra-low-flow toilets a small amount of water fall into a lower flow. (Note: This reduction in wastewater Water conservation awareness chamber. After several seconds the flap quantity does not reduce the organic prompted manufacturers to begin making reseals, and a blast of compressed air loading rate to the system.) more efficient toilets in the early 1980s. forces the wastewater over the trap and The federal government established a out a discharge line from the toilet. Advantages: national manufacturing standard in 1994 Public parks, restaurants, hotels, and • Ultra-low-flow toilets reduce water mandating that new toilets sold in the other public facilities, such as roadside consumption and costs to the U.S. use a maximum of 1.6 gallons of rest areas, are installing these ultra- consumer. water for flushing. low- flow toilets to help reduce water • They contribute to preserving the Studies across the country show that consumption and subsequent wastewa- environment by protecting ground these low-flow toilets reduce water use ter disposal. Ultra-low-flow toilets also water from depletion and possible by 23 to 46 percent, saving an average enable business construction in areas contamination. 10.5 gallons of water per person daily. where restrictions may limit sewage Disadvantages: According to the U.S. Environmental disposal capacity. • Some ultra-low-flow models may Protection Agency’s Office of Water, For example, many resort areas and require flushing more than once to through the use of water-efficient toilets municipalities place restrictions on adequately clean the toilet bowl. Readers are encouraged to reprint TABLE 1 Annual Total Water Usage by Toilets* this issue or any Pipeline articles in fly- ers, newspapers, newsletters, or educa- tional presentations. We request that you Water Consumption Water Consumption by Number of People in Household include the name and phone number of by Toilets gal/year gal/flush the NESC on the reprinted information 1 2 3 4 5 and send us a copy for our files. If you have questions about reprint- 1.5 2,190 4,380 6,570 8,760 10,950 ing articles or about the topics dis- 3.5 5,110 10,220 15,330 20,440 25,550 cussed in the newsletter, please contact the NESC at (304) 293-4191. 5.0 9,125 18,250 27,375 36,500 45,625 7.0 10,220 20,440 30,660 40,880 51,100 * Assumes four flushes per day per person for 365 days. 2 PIPELINE — Summer 2000; Vol.11, No. 3 National Small Flows Clearinghouse Alternative Toilets Toilet Options: Composting Composting toilets driven by a fan) vents odors, carbon A number of designs for composting dioxide, and moisture from the reac- toilets exist, but the process for waste tor bin to the outdoors. Air must also treatment is basically the same in each be drawn into the system so oxygen of them. (See figure 2 for an example is available for growth of the aerobic of a composting toilet system.) Human organisms. Screening should tightly cover waste is biologically decomposed in a the exterior vent pipe opening to prevent relatively moist environment by naturally flies and/or other insects from entering occurring microorganisms. A typical the composting system. system consists of a composting reactor During the composting process, natu- tank or bin (sized according to frequency rally occurring aerobic bacteria and fungi of use and number of users) connected break down organic materials. Bulking to one or more waterless toilets in the agents need to consist of materials that house or other structure. break down quickly to avoid filling the Figure 3. Residences without basements can have a composting reactor bin built in a water The reactor bin contains and controls bin with these substances. tight structure adjacent to the house beneath the the decomposition of excrement, toilet Urine usually keeps the composting ground’s surface. Clivus Multrum illustration. paper, and any organic (carbon-based) waste material moist enough—50 to 70 bulking agents. Bulking agents may percent moisture is fine for thorough by a licensed septage hauler, depending include wood chips (other than cedar decomposition. But, decomposition nearly on state and local regulations. or redwood), straw, hay, or grain hulls. stops if the moisture level drops below The composting bin and the toilet No liquid is added to the collected 40 percent. To remedy an over-dry stool or seat can be constructed as a material inside the bin except for urine. condition, some designs have a sprayer self-contained unit.

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