Bio-Loo. The Water-borne Flushing Toilet

Transcription

1 Bio-Loo The Water-borne Flushing Toilet The improved hygienic and healthy sanitation solution for the people In support of Government and Municipalities in the delivery of sustainable sanitation systems A proudly South African Product

2 Bio-Loo Introduction The Bio-Loo is a biological, environmentally friendly flush toilet that was developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch. It is a South African concept and product designed for an African solution to sanitation. The concept After flushing the toilet the solids are digested anaerobically by bacteria. The water then passes through a 2-stage filter to remove solids in the water. Then the water is pumped, by a solar pump, through a carbon filter where bacteria digest the remaining impurities by an aerobic process that also removes odours. Finally the water is stored in a storage tank that refills the toilet cistern, to be used in flushing the toilet again.

3 Advantages GREEN o Recycles water. Can be set up to consume no municipal water. o Environmentally friendly. No sewerage contamination of the environment, underground water or open water sources. CHEAP o Cheaper and quicker than standard sewerage systems. o No sewerage reticulation required. o No sewerage treatment plants required. SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS o Human dignity. o Sanitation for all. Especially in areas that are difficult to install sewerage systems. o Job creation through micro-contractors. o Can be used in both rural and densely populated urban areas.

4 Water usage comparison Conventional water borne toilet: Cistern flush capacity 9 litres per flush Average family of 6 people using the toilet 4 times per day equals: 216 litres per day 6,480 litres per month 38,880 litres per 6 months 77,760 litres per year NWS BIO-LOO recycle unit: Major service water replacement 300 litres per 6 months 600 litres per year If the toilet roof rainwater run-off, hand basin, kitchen sink, shower and/or bath is connected to the system, it will use ZERO water per year. Obviously the system will overfill with time. The excess water will flow through the bio-digester and run out the overflow as clean grey water into the Bio-Zone. This overflow can either be channeled into an underground soak-away or can be used on the lawn, flower beds or fruit trees. It is not recommended for use on vegetables for health reasons.

5 8 Cistern Supply Tank Water tank replenishes toilet cistern by gravitation. Toilet ready to flush again Volume = ± 250L 1 Toilet - flushes using water 7 Aerobic Carbon Filter Overflow from the water tank runs through a carbon filter, where odours are removed by aerobic bacteria, before returning to the storage tank. 6 Return Pump Line Water is pumped by a submersible solar pump to the water tank. Water is continually pumped by solar pump while the sun shines. 5 Bio Zone Excessive clean grey water runs out through overflow to a flower bed or into a soak away 2 Anaerobic Tank Solids and urine digested by anaerobic bacteria Volume of Bio-digester unit = ± 1,200 L 3 2-Stage Filter removes solids suspended in water How it Works 4 Aerobic Storage Tank Filtered grey water accumulates in storage tank

6 Installation Dig hole in ground 2.3m long X 1.3 wide X0.6 deep Level bottom of hole with 5 degree angle to the back with river sand Place BIO-LOO toilet unit in hole and close up with river sand. Fill BIO-LOO digester section with liters of water. Fill BIO-LOO cistern supply tank with liters of water Flush one packet of NWS Bacteria blend down toilet bowl Connect electrical cord of pump to solar panel. Toilet ready for use

7 Maintenance As any working biological sewage treatment facility, the BIO- LOO toilet unit does require maintenance on a regular basis. However, it is a very basic and inexpensive operation and easy to perform. Minor Service Monthly re-seeding of the digester unit. The re-seeding is done by flushing half of the packet of bacteria blend down the toilet pot, the other half of the bacteria blend is poured into the second aerobic tank, through the inspection hole. (no external water is added at this service) Major Service Done every 1 to 6 months depending on how many people use the toilet. Pump/suck liters of sludge mixture out of anaerobic tank. Add 300 liters of raw water to anaerobic tank. Re-seed with NWS Bacteria as per minor service procedure. Frequency of Services Minor service (re-seeding of bacteria) is done once every month. 5 to 10 People per day = Major service once every 6 months 10 to 20 people per day = Major service once every 3 months 30 to 40 People per day = Major service once every 1 month

8 Micro contractors Installations Installation is simple and can be done by unskilled labour with minimum training. A team of 2 persons should be able to install a minimum of 2 systems a day with ease. Minor Service Once a month a packet of NWS bacteria has to be added to the system by flushing half a packet down the toilet and adding the other half to the bio-digester through the inspection hole. The packets of bacteria is to be stocked and supplied by the municipality. This process should be contracted out by the municipality to micro-contractors. The costs of this process is to be borne through rates and taxes that the municipality normally charges for sewerage services. A subcontractor should be able to re-seed 25 to 50 toilets a day with ease. Major Service All that is needed for a subcontractor to be able to perform a major service is a bakkie with 2 water tanks and a petrol driven water pump. The one water tank will contain clean water to replace the 300 liters of water removed when the sludge is pumped out. The other tank will contain the sludge that is pumped out. A subcontractor should be able to empty on average 25 toilets per day with ease. The same contractor could be used to re-seed the toilets with bacteria every month. Spaza Shops The toilets cannot be cleaned with regular disinfectants since this will kill the bacteria in the bio-digester. The local Spaza shops can be encouraged to stock cleaners that are safe to use with the systems. Maintenance The subcontractors will also be encouraged to carry a supply of spare pumps and solar panels, to effect repairs, should any fail or malfunction. Toilet Sludge Processing The sludge that is pumped from the toilets is already processed by the bacteria and does not need to be treated by a sewerage plant. The sludge can be pumped directly into dry-beds. Once a dry-bed is full it is left to dry out and the dry matter is piled into heaps to compost. Once the heaps are composted it can be used on flower beds or fields intended for animal grazing. Once again this process can be handled by subcontractors if the local sewerage works is unable to handle the process.

9 APPLICATION Rural areas - where there is difficulty in installing water-borne sewerage due to topographical factors and long distances between villages. Rural schools which lack infrastructure Farming communities- which lack infrastructure Densely populated informal settlements - No infrastructure Low cost housing (RDP) - As a free standing structure or inside house Disaster Management areas - Emergency setup Special events - No infrastructure required Campsite / holiday sites- Temporary setup Construction sites- Temporary setup Army Bases Portable BIO-LOO Recycle Toilet unit The full unit is for areas were the housing is still informal and non permanent. This allows for the unit to be removed for use elsewhere, once the people are relocated to permanent housing.