Composting Toilet
Low-flow ShowerheadWater Conservation at The Campus Center for
Appropriate Technology
By 2025, one-third of the population of the developing world will face sever water shortages (Seckler et al. 1998). Yet, water scarcity is a global issue that gets little attention from citizens of most countries, including the United States. The southern Great Plains of the United States have recently become more aware of the effects of water scarcity as this area has lost irrigated land at roughly one percent a year since 1980 (www.worldwatch.org). Much of Asia (mainly India, China, Sri Lanka, Iran, Turkey), Sub-Saharan Africa, Ecuador, and Mexico also face huge water shortages.
Water scarcity can be defined considering the existing water supply and its potential or by evaluating the present and future demands or needs of water, or by combining both criterion. Water is used all over the world in four main sectors: irrigation, domestic, industrial, and environmental.
Much research is being done to determine how to better utilize this precious resource. Some scientists and engineers believe the key is in designing more effective ways of storing water. Others believe the most effort should be set forth in developing better irrigation systems to deal with aquifer depletion (especially in countries where rice farming is done). One thing they all agree on, however, is that there is a problem and that in can not be ignored.
There are many ways in which people can help contribute to the solution of, rather than the problem of water scarcity, the latter being what most people do. At the CCAT house, many of these devices and techniques are being utilized on a daily basis. Here are just a few...
Composting Toilet
Low-flow Showerhead
Composting Toilet Low-Flow Showerhead
In a world where the problem of water scarcity In the bathroom at CCAT, the low-flow shower head
is finally becoming apparent, ways to use less installed uses only 1.7 gallons per minute as opposed
water are becoming increasingly important. One to a traditional shower head that uses 3-5 gallons per
way to eliminate the use of water in a household minute. Also, the low-flow flushing toilet uses only 2.2
by as much as 50% by using a composting gallons per minute, compared to traditional toilets that
toilet. Composting Toilets are toilet systems which use up to 7 gallons per flush.
produce a usable, valuable end product from
human waste by the processes of composting and
dehydration with the use of little or no water, thus
causing no environmental damage and eliminating
dependence on expensive city sewer systems.
While CCAT has an older model of the composting
toilet that requires manual turning, other models
that use solar power to turn the waste with mixing
tongs, heating units to maintain optimal
composting temperature, and models that utilize
composting worms and macro-organisms are
also available for personal and commercial use.
For more information visit The World of Composting Toilets.
Kitchen Greywater System Greywater Marsh
Water is collected here from the kitchen Here water flows through a level of vegetation followed
and bathroom, and then transported by a level of gravel, separating the particles from water.
through tubing to the Greywater Marsh. The clean water is then collected through a perforated
pipe and then continues on to the next gravel marsh box
When the water is removed from the bottom and brought
to the top like it is here, it forces oxygenation of the water.
Greywater Marsh
Greywater is all the water that residents and businesses use for laundry, dishwashing, and for other
functions in the kitchen and bathroom. This water is normally transported through pipes of the sewer system
to a waste water treatment plant. There, it undergoes treatment that requires an enormous input of energy
and chemicals that are harmful to the Earth. At CCAT, greywater is treated first in a primary treatment tank
which filters out large particles, and then in a marsh consisting of a gravel filled channel complete with vegetation.
This treated water is then used to water the lawn and gardens at CCAT after it is pumped from the ground by
a new electric pump. While this equipment requires some maintenance, it is minimal and the energy and water
saved in the process is well worth the effort.
Rain Water Catch Basin
Shown here is the Catch Basin where rain water flows from the roof
with gravity's help and is forced out the hosing with turgor pressure.
Rain Water Catchment
Rain Water is overly abundant at the CCAT house, being as it is located in Humboldt County.
Therefore, directors don't waste this resource. Rain water at CCAT that runs off the roof is
caught in rain gutters, just like at any other house. But then the rain is directed, through piping,
into a 900 gallon catch basin. There are also two 300 gallon basins that catch any overflow.
Any overflow after these three basins and piping are filled, is directed to the city sewer system.
The rain water is then accessible through spigots that are pressurized by gravity. This water
is used to water gardens, the greenhouse, and tress at CCAT, as well as supplying water to
the flushable toilet in the CCAT bathroom.
To purchase water conserving devices for your home or business, try these websites:
Site constructed by and all pictures courtesy of Quincy Hansell.