Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: composting toilets

[Karen Schwalbe (kschwalbe]

>
> >    Does anyone have experience with composting toilets? I am interested
> >in the reliability of esp. Sun-Mar and Clivus Multrum units.

I'll jump in on this one.  Alchemy Farm Cohousing is on Cape Cod where we
have a very vulnerable water supply.  One of our group's more serious concerns
was not to contribute to the pollution of the ground water and, in our deeds, 
are
required to use waste treatment that is better than the existing 
septicregulations
(called Title V in the code).  So far, households have chosen to go the
composting toilet route.  (IMHO, it is better not to dirty the water in the 
first
place.)

In the new houses in the community, we have both brands installed in three
different houses.  Both have good reputations in the area, as does Phoenix.
Phoenix wasn't big  in the market around here when we installed these units
one to two years ago.  I can't tell you which models we are using off the top
of my head.

There have been no problems with the Clivus multrums.  Excellent quality
compost, no odors, easy maintenance.  The owners are into the whole
idea and everyone is pretty happy.

There have been some issues with the Sun-Mar.  I have to say that how the
Sun-Mar is being used is the biggest factor in the performance.  The
household with the Sun-Mar has a one pint flush toilet (that is frequently
used) and doesn't turn the bins often enough.  Sun-Mar says this model
can handle a one pint flush.  Unfortunately it doesn't really.  Whether it
is a problem in the overflow drain, clogging from added peat moss
or improper maintenance doesn't really matter.  It has overflowed and
it smells bad.  Sun-Mar reps are somewhat attentive to the problem, but until
the situation is resolved, it benefits no one.  Others mileage may vary.  I'm
not ready to write off the entire company, but they have work to do.

I can suggest another person to speak with about composting toilets and 
graywater:

Tad Montgomery
Consultant in Ecological Wastewater Treatment
P.O. Box C-3
Montague, MA  01351
Phone: (413) 367-0068
Email: tad [at] valinet.com

There's a quote that holds very true in this situation:

A tablespoon full of wine in a barrel of sewage is a barrel of sewage.
A tablespoon full of sewage in a barrel of wine is still a barrel of sewage.


Karen Schwalbe
Alchemy Farm Cohousing Community
233 Hatchville Road
East Falmouth, MA  02536
508-564-4325