by Lawson Schaller
Drought continues - what more can we do? How about less
precious potable water down the toilet?
It is unlikely that a child in the United States today
might ask, "Why are we pooping in our drinking water?" I
am sure there must be a child somewhere in the world that
asks that question. More likely it is an environmentalist
or a conservationist who poses the same question in more
scientific terms – "historically what human behavior
mechanism began and continues the pattern of humans
defecating into their potable water supply." Or, as a
friend has stated in street terminology, "Why are we
crapping in our drinking water?" I hear the debate still
goes on as to whether or not a person with the last name
of Crapper invented the water closet.
At first it may strike some folks as a bit vulgar, gross,
or obscene to think of pooping in drinking water. Maybe
that thought process will have a positive impact in the
long run? The fact that most people in the U.S. have
fresh, high quality drinking water delivered to their
finger tips and their toilets for less than one penny per
gallon makes it rather challenging to treat it as a
precious resource.
Of course, we can flush our waste with greywater and that
has been discussed in prior months. And a local non-profit
may have guide out soon on getting grey water to the
toilet. You may recognize the reoccurring theme of water
in this column. My apologies, it so important to me that I
want to write about it . . . again. But, I will diversify.
Waterless toilets (which is more PC terminology these
days) are growing in popularity and are quite practical
for many applications. There are a number of people I know
who have composting toilets and like it. They feel they
are doing the right thing by not using potable water to
flush waste and to also avoid the costly traditional
treatment methods associated with waste water. They safely
and responsibly compost it right on site.
So, waterless or compost toilets use little or no water
and little or no energy. Passive compost toilets use no
centralized utility energy. There are a number of
waterless/compost toilets on the market that use some
electricity to accelerate the composting or drying. These
models are somewhat common for boats, R.V.'s or homes,
cabins, art studios, etc. where water and or plumbing are
inaccessible or cost prohibitive. Some of these composting
(waterless) toilets are nice tidy packages for those that
are opposed to the quasi-outhouse or home built methods.
It doesn't have to be outdoors, cold, or uncomfortable.
Composting/waterless toilets can be comfy and warm.
Do not confuse compost toilets with porta-potty's that are
simply dumped into the waste water stream that then goes
to the large treatment plant for expensive and very energy
/ chemical intensive treatment.
The Humanure Handbook is a classic "how to" on composting
human manure. Their website is full of fun and interesting
stuff, such as the Lovable Loo Eco Potty. Check it out.
Check with local authorities on codes, permits, etc., and
use your best judgment.
Nonetheless, your great-grandparents and others that used
compost/waterless toilets in the outhouse fashion, and
those children that have the foresight and curiosity to
ask why we are pooping in our drinking water, would likely
be pleased to see a movement toward waterless toilets.
One of our local non profits may be coming out with a
guide for waterless toilets....stay tuned.
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