The solar toilet is the latest in a line of revolutionary new plumbing and sanitation concepts to hit the market, and another innovation that speaks of the speed of technology development of our generation. Without water or energy, the solar toilet can compost human waste into food for the soil that can immediately be applied to the landscape.
With a capacity for four human adults’ daily use, the solar toilet is not connected to any plumbing or tanks and promises to eliminate expenses while at the same time saving our precious resources: water and energy. At the same time, it contains no leachate that may contaminate water.
Image Credit: UC Boulder
What is a Solar Toilet?
Solar composting advanced toilets are self-contained, free-standing units that use cost-effective and convenient organic materials to promote effective composting. The watertight plastic bin contained in the solar chamber provides plenty capacity for daily use.
Weighing 300 pounds, the portable solar toilet is built on a 4’X8′ platform. It is easy to be transported and assembled onsite.
A translucent roofing material that covers the stall provides ample daylight, which passive solar energy helps with the composting and evaporation process. Convection currents provide ventilation.
Benefits of Solar Toilets
Solar toilets have the ability to eliminate odors while they produce ready-to-use, odorless compost. But the most beneficial feature of the composting solar toilet, is that it brings a partial solution to the environmental pollution and water crises that are threatening our planet and human existence.
By supplying compost, the solar toilet provides additional benefits, as compost is necessary for healthy crops. The humus-like compound is created by micro-organisms such as fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria, however, it will not contaminate any water surfaces.
How Solar Toilets Work
The solar composting toilet is easy to transport, install and managed. It uses the sun and biodegradable materials (sawdust or peat moss) to complete the composting process.
Sun energy enters through the roof, providing energy to the toilet and evaporating any excess liquids that the compost can’t absorb . It is kept dry automatically, and worms contained in the bin underneath the toilet help to speed up the process of composting.
A vent allows air to pass by convection currents through a storm-proof ventilator, and does not allow insects to enter. Any pathogens in the compost will be eliminated by heat and by the duration of the composting process. On average, the toilet should be emptied every six months, depending on frequency of use.
The solar toilet is handicap accessible, although manufacturers are working on a specific model that will be bigger, with a wider, self closing door and grab bars.
In keeping with all the other conveniences, the solar toilet is manufactured using easy-to-clean, durable construction materials. The modular design makes it easy to repair any damage.
Now you can make the best of a crappy situation and turn your sewerage into something useful – compost – while saving the planet.
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Before the 1960’s, plumbers used galvanized steel piping. If you’re unsure about whether your home uses galvanized piping, simply turn on the hot water. Low water pressure is a relatively good indicator of galvanized piping, and the fact that it runs slowly, indicates that the pipes are probably plugged up or corroded. 
Your home’s plumbing system starts at the municipal supply line, and all the piping leading from the meter towards the house belongs to the homeowner. 
One of the biggest culprits of plumbing disasters, your water heater pipes may become rusted, as could the tank. Leaks commonly occur, which is why you should ensure that there’s a drain pan under the tank; this will ensure that water is diverted outside in the event of a leak. 
Once the cold snap is here, allow a faucet to drip ever so slightly, as this can help eliminate freezing. 
One of the most common outdoor plumbing problems, is clogged pipes, and most often, roots in pipes is the most likely cause. Trees near plumbing is a big issue. During spring and summer, roots grow into hairline cracks in the pipes, seeking nutrition and water. Over time, the roots continue to grow thicker, until it clogs up the pipes. 
Frozen outdoor pipes is a major issue during the cold Toronto winters. When the temperature drops below freezing, water in the pipes becomes frozen, causing the pipes to expand. It is common for the pipes to crack or burst open. This issue may go unnoticed until spring, when snow and ice starts to melt, causing extensive property damage.
While well-maintained, modern plumbing systems that have been installed in the last 25-50 years shouldn’t corrode, there are still many older homes in the Toronto area that were built before 1960. These older homes often still have galvanized iron pipes that were used in their sewer and water mains. 
Slow drains can be extremely annoying, although it doesn’t necessarily qualify as an emergency. However, severe clogs can completely inhibit the flow of water, resulting in serious clogs and severe plumbing issues. 
Your toilet is probably the most hard working fixture in your home, so it’s no wonder that a clogged toilet is one of the most common culprits leading to emergency plumbing call outs. If your toilet is clogged, making strange noises, leaking or not flushing, it is probably clogged. Ignored, it can lead to major issues and flooding that may result in structural damage and raw sewage backups. Deal with clogged toilets as soon as you notice them in order to avoid major health hazards. 
Hair fall and soap scum are two of the most common causes of 
A faucet that constantly drips is annoying, but more than that, it can increase your water bill significantly. The same applies to toilet leaks. However, more significant than the mess, the noise and the cost, is the fact that standing water can cause rust and result in the growth of mold.
Leaks and other hot water issues can cause you to waste plenty money heating water. However, it could also end up causing property damage. In most cases, replacing a damaged water heater valve will solve the issue cheaply and effectively. However, in severe cases, the wall of the water heater may have rusted through completely, which means that you will have to have the entire water heater replaced. 
There are many issues that may lead to broken underground water lines. Normal deterioration, soggy areas, roots in pipes, and poor water pressure are just some of the reasons.
Burst water pipes are particularly common in winter, when the freeze-thaw cycle places significant pressure on the pipes. 
Issues with the water heater may cause that you don’t have any hot water. It could be a plumbing leak, electrical issue or water heater malfunction, and should be fixed immediately to restore your supply.
If you have multiple drain clogs, gurgling toilets, water pooling around the 
During basement cleanup, there are many contaminants that could affect you, from the cleaning agents used to clean the basement, to pollutants from the flood water. If there is a risk of sewer water or raw sewage, be sure to wear protective clothing. Proper ventilation and limited exposure are of utmost importance.
Common during basement floods, it is important to leave the house as soon as you smell gas, and to contact the authorities right away. 
Wet basements pose a serious risk of electrical shock. If you are confident that you can safely turn of the power at the main breaker switches, do so. Otherwise, wait for the authorities to do it for you.
In some cases, a basement flood can weaken the ceiling or the structure of the walls. If you’re not completely sure that your home’s structure is uncompromized, rather leave the area to the experts. 
Probably the best scenario for the homeowner, is when the municipal supply is temporarily down. It means that it’s not an issue with your home and therefore you don’t have to pay to have it repaired. 
A leak in your home’s water supply line will reduce the water pressure in your home, since not all the water is flowing where it should. If you suspect that you have a leak, you could try out this simple method of leak detection or call our licensed plumbers at Anta Plumbing to perform a professional leak detection service for you. 
Water pipes start deteriorating the moment they come in contact with the minerals present in the soil in which they are buried and the water that flows through them. Galvanized water pipes have a 20 year lifespan, but in many cases, the insides become filled with corrosion, which blocks the flow of the water. There are a few temporary fixes for this issue, but ultimately, the pipes should be replaced.
When one of your water mains develops a crack, usually at the joints, mineral deposits enter, leaving behind sand, pollutants and dirt. These deposits can cause blockages to form in your pipes, resulting in low water pressure throughout your home.
If your hot water heater is leaking when it is standing, it is possible that the inner tank is no longer working as it should.
If one or more parts keeps causing trouble or breaking, it could be that there is another more serious problem.
Cracking or popping noises from your water heater could be an indication that there’s mineral build-up on the heating elements.
If your water is sandy or muddy, that could indicate that sediment is built up in your hot water heater tank.
The most common symptom of a broken hot water heater, is when you turn on the faucet to find no hot water.
If your water heater has a lot of buildup, it will not function as it should. Sometimes, the water will just warm up to luke warm, which is not warm enough for a good shower. If the temperature is set high enough and there’s no buildup, it could be a sign that the element is no longer working.
If, for whatever reason, you have to remove the trap from your sink, first give it a few good plunges. Simply use a toilet plunger to push as much water as possible out of the trap, thus reducing the mess when you remove it. 
Let’s face it, nobody wants to call on the neighbors to use their toilet during plumbing renovations. Now you can avoid it with careful planning. Fill a few large buckets with water before you shut off the supply and keep it handy. When you need to use the toilet, simply dump water into the bowl.
When the kids drop a toy or other solid object into the toilet, it can be hard to remove. Using a plunger will simply cause it to be pushed deeper into the pipes, making the blockage worse.
Stainless steel sink basins can be rather noisy due to the vibration between the two units. However, spray foam insulation can help silence the vibrations and the gong sound. While it is best done during installation, it can be done afterwards too. 
When you run hot water through copper lines, the pipes expand, grinding against the joists and hangers. An inexpensive, yet highly effective fix for this is adhesive-wrapped felt from the hardware store. Simply cut it into strips and wrap it around the pipe before fastening it to the hanger again.
Instead of guesswork when it comes to finding underfloor pipes, attach neodymium magnet to electrical fish tape before feeding it through the cleanout plug and into the drain lines. Use a compass above the floor to locate the magnet and pipe under the floor. You will note the compass moving vigorously when it locates the magnet.
Ever have to jiggle the kitchen sink sprayer hose when you pull it out? This is common when the hose catches on the shutoff valves. Tape won’t work in the long term, but you can easily prevent it by slipping a 1/2″ section of foam pipe insulation over the shut-off handles and the pipes.
You may think that’s what you need to remember where your plumbing lines are, but actually, photos will do just as well. Before you close up your walls (or ceilings, or floors) after a remodeling project, take a photo of the area which shows where your plumbing, electrical lines and framing is located.