Challenge
When we found out that the Charles Sturt University, Albury Wodonga campus was looking at reducing their environmental impact we knew that our range of composting toilets would easily meet their standards, be large enough to handle the capacity of the university and reduce the maintenance needed when compared to their current systems. Below is a run-down of how the system was implemented.
Number of units installed and size:
- 2 x CM14 with one pedestal
- 4 x CM14 with two pedestals
- 1 x CM8 with one pedestal
- 3 x CM14 with two pedestals
- 2 x CM40 with four pedestals
- 2 x CM8 with one pedestal
- 1 x CM14 with two pedestals
- 2 x CM20 with two pedestals
Facilities in which units are installed:
There are a total of 12 buildings with various combinations of toilets installed in each. Some bathrooms that were more frequently patronised needed larger storage units and needed to be able to handle shock loadings (large groups of visitors).
Was there any user resistance?
Overall the feedback has been very positive to the change of composting toilets. There was some initial apprehension to install these types of toilets in the cafeteria area & function centre but other than that the feedback has been very positive.
What are the maintenance requirements?
– Addition of bulking agent (Daily/Weekly)
– Raking & turning over of the humus as required.
What is your disposal method of Humus?
At this point we’re looking at putting it into an open trench on the property, treating it with UV & then we will spread it over the property.
What are your disposal method of excess fluids?
Excess liquids go into a greywater/blackwater wetland area. We use a pond stage water system & recycle on campus for irrigation.
What do you do with the grey water?
We use reed beds with three ponds to filter our grey water. Water flows into the first pond for UV treatment, we then filter it through the second & third ponds by which time it is perfectly OK to use on the property.
The last word:
Overall the experience is very positive, the toilets are working well & there are no problems or dramas.
Website:
http://www.csu.edu.au/about/locations/albury-wodonga
The Environmental Management Plan for the campus which covers composting toilets
https://www.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/704346/report159.pdf