The Composting Toilet System Book

by David Del Porto and Carol Steinfeld, 1999.

The Center for Ecological Pollution Prevention,

PO Box 1330, Concord, MA 01742;

www.ecological-engineering.com.

Softcover, 234 pages, $29.95

The Composting Toilet System Book set out to accomplish a very challenging task: to present in an understandable manner the state-of-the-art with composting toilet systems. To a very large extent they succeeded. There’s a wealth of information about composting toilets, the science of composting, health and safety issues, how leachate is handled, system design, and installation. An invaluable chapter provides in-depth descriptions of dozens of manufactured and site-built composting toilet systems, micro-flush toilets and dry toilets that empty into composters, and urine-separation toilets. Another chapter provides examples of composting toilet systems that are in operation throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world—covering the full spectrum of sophistication. Another chapter takes an in-depth look at the issue of graywater, which is especially relevant when handling human waste with composting toilets.

The book also includes a useful glossary, listings of resources on composting toilets and graywater, seven pages on state regulations affecting composting toilets and graywater, and an appendix that provides even more detail on pathogens, the chemistry of urine, aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition, and other somewhat obscure issues that fascinate some. A significant shortcoming of the book is the lack of an index.

Given the fact that coauthor David Del Porto sells and services particular brands of composting toilets, he has done a remarkable job at objectively describing the full range of equipment options with composting toilets. While he has his likes and dislikes, he maintains a very positive tone with nearly all of the systems described, recognizing that the success of his competitors, as well as his own company, will be beneficial to all in the composting toilet business.

One is struck in reading this book, however, that despite the wealth of information presented in its 234 pages, we still have a long way to go in fully understanding the composting process and how to most effectively—and safely—manage that process in dealing with human waste. We are still examining the same few studies of graywater make-up that we’ve seen for years, for example. This industry is in desperate need of qualified academic research on environmentally responsible treatment of wastewater, including composting options.

The Composting Toilet System Book should do a great deal to help users, government officials, and building professionals understand (what we know about) composting toilets and graywater. Hopefully that will lead to greater use of these systems, which in turn should ultimately lead to a much more comprehensive understanding of how they work and better designs. For anyone considering a composting toilet, this is a must-read.