KK Waterless Toilet Operation and use of the Self Composting Toilet by Kimberley Kampers Background Kimberley started installing self-composting toilets in 2014 with an integrated ventilation system in Kimberley Karavans. Self- composting toilets are very successful in boats but relatively new to caravans and camper trailers. We wanted to understand: • Exactly how these work scientifically • Are there any issues for a caravan installation compared to a boat. • How do we get NSW Govt Department of Health approval Research came up with an excellent document* on composting humanure and safety.
“Complete pathogen destruction is guaranteed by arriving at an internal compost tem- perature of 62 ° C for one hour, 50 ° C for one day, 46 ° C for one week or 43 ° C for one month. It appears that no excreted pathogen can survive a temperature of 65 ° C for more than a few minutes.” So The How Can Caravan Toilets Make Hot Compost? • Separate the urine from the waste (basic fundamental requirement) • Add carbon to the waste (Coir or sphagnum) • Compost aerobically (good air flow) • Boost the base temperature if ambient temperature is below 14 degrees C. The NSW Dept of Health were very helpful and advised that the current model “Na- tures Head” could not be approved for home dwelling without a heater. It can be used in boats and RV’s where approval is not needed. The suggestion was to find a way to install a low voltage heater for an RV applica- “A thermophilic (high temperature) compost pile will destroy pathogens, including worm eggs, quickly, possibly in a matter of minutes. Lower temperatures require longer periods of time, pos- sibly hours, days, weeks, or months, to effectively destroy pathogens.” Although one need not strive for extremely high temperatures such as 65°C in a compost pile to feel confident about the destruction of pathogens, a higher temperature will shorten the time. * https://humanurehandbook.com/downloads/Cornell_Humanure_10_2013.pdf tion to improve the utility for the user. The research document went on to state:
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