Challenge
Incurring no electricity, sewage or water bills seems like an unattainable dream, but that was the brief to Strine Design for Krawarree House.
Designed for a young family, the brief was to create a warm, sunny and modest holiday retreat for extended stays. Minimal energy requirements and a house operating off the grid were highly sought after initiatives.
Solution
Central to the house’s energy and resource efficiency is the need for effective utilisation of water and integral to this is a waterless composting toilet from Clivus Multrum, a CM8.
The Blackwater system is suitable for remote locations, and only requires a moving fan powered by solar energy. The system is aerobic, as opposed to anaerobic, and the fan ensures that fresh oxygen is always moving through to facilitate optimum composting and minimal odour.
Waste is collected in the composting chamber along with carbon rich material, such as wood shavings and garden waste. Here, the materials gradually decompose in the ventilated environment.
Baffles and air channels in the tank distribute air flow, helping to aerate the pile. This promotes the aerobic composting process. A small electric fan in the vent pipe also creates airflow within the system and ensures that the toilet room is always kept clear of any odours.
Benefits
- This rural retreat is completely off the grid and a waterless toilet helps to ensure a minimal energy footprint.
- The toilet helps owners save up to 60,000 litres of water each year that would be required for a conventional flushing toilet.