This document summarizes a composting/urine diversion (UD) toilet. The toilet has two chambers that collect and separate feces and urine. Dry organic materials like wood ash or straw are added to absorb moisture and help decompose the waste. Urine can be collected separately and used as fertilizer. Ventilation helps dry the waste. Proper moisture control and occasional turning of the compost is needed for the system to work well. Initial costs are $3,000-$4,000 but annual operating costs are low if maintained properly by the user. These toilets have been tested in South Africa with mixed results depending on user education and local conditions.
This document summarizes a composting/urine diversion (UD) toilet. The toilet has two chambers that collect and separate feces and urine. Dry organic materials like wood ash or straw are added to absorb moisture and help decompose the waste. Urine can be collected separately and used as fertilizer. Ventilation helps dry the waste. Proper moisture control and occasional turning of the compost is needed for the system to work well. Initial costs are $3,000-$4,000 but annual operating costs are low if maintained properly by the user. These toilets have been tested in South Africa with mixed results depending on user education and local conditions.
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Composting/urine diversion (UD) toilet
Fly screen
Vent pipe
Air (ventilation)
Access cover
Seat cover
Urine diversion Pedestal
Urine outlet pipe Turning and removal
to soakaway or of composted material collection pot by hand A single top-structure over a sealed container, which could be one of two chambers side by side (as for the VIDP), with access for the removal of decomposed waste. A vent pipe may be installed to encourage drying of the waste.
Principles Operational and Costs Experience and
of operation institutional comment requirements Waste is deposited in the Does not accept domestic Capital (variable depending on Control of moisture content is chamber and dry absorbent wastewater. Ensure ease of system and householder input): vital for proper operation. organic material, such as wood access by householder and R3 000-R4 000 for commercial Contents often become too wet, ash, straw or vegetable matter promotion of manual ‘turning’ of systems. making the vault difficult and is added after each use to compost and removal of unhygienic to empty, as well as deodorise decomposing faeces composted/desiccated material. Operating: R35-R500 per malodorous. UD systems in SA and/or control moisture and Suitable disposal site/area annum, depending on local still being monitored but appear facilitate biological breakdown necessary. government involvement and to be accepted by certain (composting). Urine may be householder willingness to communities and working separated/diverted through use handle waste, and disposal without significant problems. of specially adapted pedestals. options. Burning of compost prior to This may be collected and used removal also being tested in SA. as a fertiliser. In desiccation Proprietary systems have been systems, ventilation encourages piloted in SA, generally with the evaporation of moisture. inconclusive results as to their likely success on a large scale and under varying conditions. User educational requirements and continuous input significant for proper operation in terms of the composting process.
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