The Waterless Flush

What to do when you don't want to install a full septic system (whether for cost, location, lack of water, or just personal preference) but also want something a little more high tech than a simple pit toilet?

There are three waterless (dry) options for toilets that property owners can consider. These can be inside a cabin or in an outhouse-style building.

Composting Toilets

These toilets use aerobic processing through composting. This is a controlled composting system, usually with added organic materials to aid in decomposition. The benefit over pit toilets is that they are contained, so no soil contamination or site contamination and it allows them to be used indoors. Most models are designed to contain odour so that they are usable in a small space. They require little set up and are easily emptied. Composting toilets are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the van life movement, and readily available in many countries. 

Here is more detail on how they work: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet

a composting toilet in an outhouse

Incinerating Toilets 

As the name implies these toilets burn waste. This can be done in a few ways depending on the system's design but generally the waste is reduced to an ash in a holding tank and the ash can then can be safely disposed of.  These toilets do require an outside power source, so are not as popular as the composting toilets. But the ash end product can be easier to dispose of and nicer to deal with, making it an option for those with power. 

This information sheet from 1999 created by the EPA in the US is still used as a reference in most online information: 

https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/www3/npdes/www3/pubs/incinera.pdf

Evaporating Toilets

These systems actually dry-out the waste and create a sterile, compact waste that can be safely disposed of in the trash system. There are both passive systems that require no outside electricity and systems that do require some energy input. Evaporating toilets are very low maintenance. 

This is a popular model that requires a small amount of electricity to operate: http://www.enviroalternatives.com/toiletcuasanitizer.html

This is a model that requires no electricity: http://www.enviroalternatives.com/toiletcuaeloo.html

These three types of toilets provide the ability to enhance the livability of a cabin or remote residence, without the need for digging pits or installing septic systems. 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Where Does the Waste Go?

On a remote or recreational property, figuring out the best way to dispose of waste water is important.

Indoor plumbing is generally an option, but it can be costly. All properties who choose to have indoor plumbing, and that are not on a municipal waste system, are supposed to have a permitted system, which means installation and inspection by a professional. In our region this is covered by the Island Health Authority. You can find more information about regulations for septic systems at the Island Health site here.

Many of the systems available still require pumping and disposal of the waste from a holding tank. These can be great options for those living on larger islands where pumping services are available (basically any of the islands serviced by ferries where the pump trucks can easily travel on and off island); however they are not such a great option for many recreational and more remote properties. There are also filtration systems and outflow systems, all of which direct the waste somewhere else (such as gravel fields or in some cases directly out to bodies of water). 

For most people when they think of cabins and remote properties, the traditional outhouse comes to mind. These are still very popular, and once established require little more than routine maintenance. Outhouses can be fun to decorate and they can range from incredibly rustic to quite fancy.

There are three waterless options for  toilets that property owners can consider. These can be inside a cabin or in an outhouse-style building.

*Composting Toilets. These are toilets that use aerobic processing through composting. This is a controlled composting system that protects the surrounding environment. These are popular systems and readily available in many countries. Here is some more explanation on how they work: http://www.letsgogreen.com/how-composting-toilets-work.html

a composting toilet, in an outhouse

*Incinerating Toilets. As the name implies these toilets burn the waste. This can be done in a few ways depending on the system's design but generally the waste is reduced to an ash in a holding tank and then can be safely disposed of. This is an information sheet from 1999 created by the EPA in the US, all about incinerating toilets: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/www3/npdes/www3/pubs/incinera.pdf

*Evaporating Toilets. These systems actually dry-out the waste and create a sterile, compact waste that can be safely disposed of in the trash system. There are both passive systems that require no outside electricity and systems that do require some energy input. Evaporating toilets are very low maintenance. http://www.enviroalternatives.com/toiletcua.html

Dealing with waste is one of those less fun but practical things that is part and parcel of owning off-grid properties. The good thing is that there are solutions for every budget and every lifestyle!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!