About composting toilets

Corn grown with urine-fertilizer. (photo by Peter Morgan, Aquamor)Corn grown with urine-fertilizer. (photo by Peter Morgan, Aquamor)The modern day sewer system has failed. Fortunately, we don't need costly sewage plants or septic systems to render human waste into a harmless substance that, instead of being a problem, is a solution to problems of water shortages, water pollution, and reliance on chemical fertilizers.

This is ecological sanitation, taking care of our human sanitation needs in a way that is helpful, rather than harmful, to the environment.

Composting toilets in action

Click here for examples of urine diverting composting toilet projects.

  • Composting toilet made during a bathroom remodel
  • Elevated composting toilet in bathroom with a concrete slab foundation
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Urine diverting insert Composting Toilets Images
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Upcoming workshops

Jun 3, 2013 - Jun 7, 2013 Greywater Installers Course 2013- L.A., CA
full calendar

Double ell flow splitter
Double ell flow splitter

This flow splitter divides greywater flow into two equal parts. The splitter needs to be level, like on a brick, and to ensure an even split the pipe coming in should be straight for 2 feet. If a curved pipe comes into the splitter the water won't divide equally. For later inspection purposes, a hole is made in the top of the ell and a threaded cap is placeable in this hole. 

Mulch shield
Mulch shield

 This mulch shield allows for a gap between the pipe and mulch at the bottom of the shield. It also allows for occasional inspection. A stone should be placed on top of the shield to indicate the placement of the shield and to prevent debris from filling it.

Milk crate infiltrator
Milk crate infiltrator

Workshop participant sews hardware cloth around a milk crate to make an infiltrator.

Surge tank for constructed wetland
Surge tank for constructed wetland

Water from the shower flows into this surge tank via a 2" pipe (top), and exits slowly via a 1" pipe (bottom). The 1" pipe enters the wetland via a buried, screened infiltrator.

Bamboo irrigated with greywater
Bamboo irrigated with greywater

Bamboo grown with greywater infiltrated into mulch basins.

Outlet onto mulch
Outlet onto mulch

This greywater outlet pipe is supported on a splash block (small piece of concrete) so the emerging greywater will not carve a hole.
The pipe will be covered with mulch to protect it from the sun. 

Pipe along house
Pipe along house

 This shows greywater  pipe extending from the crawlspace out along the side of a house. Installation is in process and straps will be added.  ABS needs to be supported every 4 feet.  

Using channel locks
Using channel locks

 Two channel locks are used here-- one to spin on the fitting, while the other holds the three way valve firm
and prevents the whole assembly from spinning.  You can get much more "traction" using tools in opposition
to each other this way.

barrels
barrels
barrels

corn
corn
corn

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hautCT
hautCT

Barrels for humanure
Barrels for humanure

Humanure is moved to barrels for final composting. The barrels are vented (not shown) and screened. Humanure is left for one year to compost, then used as a soil ammendment in the yard.