These types of toilets contain and control the composting of excrement, toilet paper, and added carbon material in a controlled aerobic environment. The material is broken down in a completely natural process to 10 to 30 % of its original volume over a number of months. The end result is a stable soil like material called humus. The primary objective of the composting process is to contain, immobilise, or destroy organisms that cause human disease and to not contaminate the immediate or distant environments.
The composting process occurs in a controlled environment with plenty of air and moisture where bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi combined with the action of worms reduce the matter into a stable oxidised form. Human waste enters from the top with the addition of some form of added carbon material such as sawdust.
Over a period of time due to the action of gravity and the weight of additional material on top the pile slowly works its way down the inclined slope of the chamber, when it finally gets to the bottom it has been completely oxidised and is in a stable form ready for removal. Air is provided by inlet holes at the bottom of the chamber and slotted pipes inside the chamber. The movement of air through the system results in the majority of the moisture in the system being removed as water vapour out of the flue. Excess liquid collects and is removed at the bottom of the vault and is piped to its own mini leach field or into the grey water system.
No. The system relies completely on naturally occurring bacteria and worms to work. In our non-flush dry pedestal toilets you don't even need water for your composting toilet to work effectively.
Unlike a septic tank system and long drop type toilets that have anaerobic bacteria and a distinct strong smell, composting toilets use aerobic bacteria that do not produce the sulphides etc that produce strong odours. Composting toilets usually have a slight earthy forest humus type smell.
The same as a flush toilet system but without putting chemicals down the bowl. The pedestal is made from polyethylene plastic and is easily cleaned.
In most circumstances you need to take a small quantity of finished compost out of the bottom hatch annually. It may take a year or two before this is necessary. The toilets if used within their design parameters have a retention period of at least one year and all solid material is fully oxidized well within this period and all pathogens have been virtually destroyed. Liquid is removed mainly by evaporation up the flue which is fan assisted.
The composting toilet is designed to contain, immobilize, or destroy organisms that can cause human disease (Pathogens). Thus reducing the risk of human infection without contaminating the immediate or distant environment. The BIOLOO toilets are also designed to reduce to very low levels the Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels of any discharge and to produce very little discharge at all.
These types of systems have been in use worldwide for the last sixty years and we have toilets locally that are now in their fourteenth year, and when maintained properly have been proven to operate successfully. These types of systems have been in use worldwide for the last sixty years and we have toilets locally that are now in their fourteenth year, and when maintained properly have been proven to operate successfully. All our systems are our own designs based on concepts that have been around since the early forties. We are constantly evolving the designs as technology and experience teach us more. It is now Deparment of Conservation policy in the Rotorua region that only composting toilets will be installed. The Department of Conservation recommends and uses BIO LOO composting toilets.
Installation is very simple and can be completed on any type of surface or slope. If the system is installed on flat ground a hole has to be dug to accommodate the vault. This hole has to be lined in some way, as access to the bottom inspection hatch is required so that periodic checks can be carried out to ensure the moisture content of the pile is correct, and to enable air to circulate properly and to remove composted matter.
The system can also be installed on sloping ground as the floor of the vault slopes 40 degrees when in its proper upright position. A fitted cover for safety and hygiene reasons covers the inspection hole
There are two sizes available depending on the type and volume of use anticipated.
Small family size - 1450 high x 1100 wide x 1900 long and suitable for family use. In a temperate climate it has a capacity for up to 5 adults on a contious daily basis. In a summer batch type situation it has the capacity of up to 7 adults.
Large Bioloo – 2240 high x 1160 wide x 2400 long and is designed for higher volume commercial use such as in campgrounds, hut sites etc.In a temperate climate it has the capacity for up to 20 adults on a daily basis. It can handle up to 40 adults on a summer or weekend basis.
Both systems capacity depends on the temperature and humidity of the site and the volume of bulking material that is placed in the system. It must be remembered that the speed of decomposition depends on tempeture of the pile in the vault and this is largely governed by the incoming air tempeture. (Decomposition basically ceases below 4 deg Celsius.)
