Non-conventional loos
This is an excerpt from an article in Sanctuary magazine issue 8.
If you want to treat and reuse blackwater (toilet waste) onsite your choices are basically a blackwater treatment system or a composting toilet.
There are a number of blackwater treatment systems on the market these days. Some operate by an aerobic system, employing biological filters and pumps to aerate the wastewater. Others employ disinfection processes like chlorine or UV. Others just use worms. All these systems have the advantage that the water can be reused onsite after treatment, though in most states and territories the water can only be used for garden irrigation.
The great majority of blackwater treatment systems are installed in unsewered areas in rural Australia, however there are an increasing number of people wanting to install them in urban sewered areas.
Be mindful, though, that regulatory bodies approve blackwater treatment systems only occasionally, and with good reason. All systems need maintenance
and if you sell your house the new owners might not be as committed as you are to servicing the system.
All systems need regular maintenance and servicing to run effectively and to minimise the risk of environmental damage by below-standard effluent. Do your homework before you commit to a system.
A composting toilet works by an aerated “dry” pile system. Some systems have excess moisture removed by forced ventilation, while others will only include a fan to eliminate odours. With composting toilet systems, compost can be safely used on the garden after six to 12 months, providing it is buried about 30cm below the surface and not used on any plants that will be consumed by humans.
Red tape
To see which systems can be installed in your state see the following websites:
VIC: www.epa.vic.gov.au
NSW: www.health.nsw.gov.au
QLD: www.dip.qld.gov.au
SA: www.health.sa.gov.au
TAS: www.wst.tas.gov.au/industries/plumbing/waste_water
WA: www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/642/2/wastewater_management.pm
NT: www.health.nt.gov.au
