1. When is a
composting toilet a good alternative?
Ans. – When building in an area
where there is no existing sewerage system, especially when ground and soil conditions do
not support good drainage, for instance pan or hard packed clay. When an existing septic
system is breaking down and needs replacement. Where a longdrop is currently in use or
where there is simply a desire for an economical, easy to use, environmentally friendly
alternative.
2. How does a
Sun-Mar System compare to a septic system, both in capital cost and in maintenance?
Ans. - Here is a basic cost breakdown
of both systems. In general terms, the capital cost of a Sun-Mar system will be about half
that of a septic system and cost roughly the same to maintain. (see table below)
Cost Compararison
(Maintenance) - Sun-Mar System VS Septic System
Sun-Mar Central Composting System - unit cost + pans + gst + Installation + Greywater
= $4000 - $8000
Septic system for Comparable House - tank + Distribution Boxes - Excavations + Pipe + Pans
+ Plumbing + Engineering + Permits + Inspections + Drainage Material + Gst = $10,000 -
$15,000
Operating Cost -
Sun-Mar Composting Unit - Electricity (if used) $3 - $5 / Mo. Additive Material (Peat and
Sawdust) $2 - $3/Mo
Septic System - Pump out (once every 2 years minium) $6 - $8/Mo
3. Can I install a
Sun-Mar System myself?
Ans. – The short answer is yes,
although Ecotech recommends that a qualified plumber be hired to install the waste and
water lines for Central Systems, especially when the composting unit is not situated
immediately below the toilet pan.
4. What
maintenance will my new Sun-Mar unit require and how long will it take me?
Ans. – About 5 minutes twice a
week will do it. Simply add 235ml (one cup) of peat and non treated wood shavings mixed
50/50 per person, per day, twice a week. (for example – 2 people = 1.4 L (6 cups) )
After adding the mixture, rotate the drum 4 to 6 revolutions each time. For weekend use,
just turn the drum at the end of the weekend.
5. Will my new
Sun-Mar toilet smell?
Ans. – The super aeration in the
Bio-Drum causes an aerobic and therefore odourless
breakdown of compost. Sun-Mar also
ensures an odour free environment by engineering the airflow inside the unit to maintain a
partial vacuum at all times.
6. Will my new
Sun-Mar look and act like a normal toilet?
Ans. – Yes, if you choose a
Central System with a low-flush pan. If you choose a dry system there will not be a
barrier between the user and the composting waste, but there will still be a completely
odour free environment.
7. What is
involved in installing a Sun-Mar System?
Ans. – Usually installation will
be simple and easy. Since the self-contained units have no separate pan, they are the
simplest to install, however a Central System installation is not complicated and with the
exception of the waste pipe, (especially where the unit is some distance from the pan) and
the water line to the pan, no special skills are needed and generally a Sun-Mar System can
be easily installed in a day.
8. Why should I
choose a Sun-Mar product over it’s competitors?
Ans. – Sun-Mar is the world
leader in cottage toilets and dominates the huge North American market. It’s products
are distinguished by innovative design, superior technology, and legendary quality. Each
unit carries an amazing 25 year warranty on the fibreglass body of the unit.
The unique three chamber system and the patented Bio-Drum, designed into all
Sun-Mar units are just two examples of Sun-Mar’s original and effective approach to
composting. The way a Sun-Mar works may be unique, but it is also elegantly simple. No one
else in the world puts a composting drum inside a toilet!
In addition, Sun-Mar systems cost compares favourably
with locally made units,
require no excavation, separate and evaporate liquids, allowing faster, more thorough
composting, and are distributed in NZ by Ecotech, a wholly NZ owned company.
9. What is the
difference between greywater and blackwater?
Ans. - Greywater is specifically
wash water. That is, bath, dish, and laundry water--excluding toilet and food wastes. When
dealt with appropriately, greywater is a valuable resource which horticultural and
agricultural growers as well as home gardeners will increasingly come to appreciate. It
will also be of interest to landscape planners, builders, developers and contractors
because of the advantages both in cost and design which it will afford to construction and
landscaping of on-site "waste" water treatment.
It is, after all, the same
phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen which make greywater a source of pollution for lakes,
rivers and ground water which are excellent sources of nutrition to plants when this
particular form of wastewater is made available as irrigation water.
As grey and black water are so
different it behoves us to separate them - more specifically, to keep urine and
faeces out
of the water altogether - and to treat them separately for the best protection of health
and the environment, and at significant savings for the homeowners.
Greywater decomposes much faster than
blackwater therefore, if injected near the surface of a bio-active soil, groundwater is
better protected from organic pollution, since the treatment takes place rapidly in the
soil and is practically finished two - three feet below the surface.
This is also the reason for the
popular misconception that greywater is "stronger" than blackwater - the total
effect of the 'grey pollution' is smaller but it shows up right away...
Greywater contains only 1/10 of the
nitrogen compared with blackwater nitrogen (as nitrite and nitrate) is the most serious
(cancer causing) and difficult-to-remove pollutant affecting drinking water, therefore
removing blackwater from septic tanks should be given a 90% "nitrogen credit"...
Furthermore the nitrogen in greywater
is around half organic nitrogen (tied to organic matter) and can be filtered out and used
by plants).
10. What is the
best way to treat greywater to avoid problems with smell or pollution?
Ans. - Greywater is not malodorous
immediately after discharge. However, if it is collected in a tank, it will very quickly
use up its oxygen and will become anaerobic. Once it reaches the septic state, greywater
forms sludge that either sinks or floats depending on its gas content and density.
Septic greywater can be as foul-smelling as any sewage and will also contain
anaerobic bacteria, some of which could be human pathogens. Consequently, a key to
successful greywater treatment lies in its immediate processing and re-use
before it has
reached the anaerobic state. The simplest, most appropriate treatment consists of directly
introducing freshly generated greywater into an active, live topsoil environment.
Try www.greywater.com
and www.Oasisdesign.net
for more useful information on this subject.
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