Composting Toilets: How it works: Moisture

Installation | Moisture | Oxygen | Temperature | Pathogens

The moisture content of a compost pile is very important. Below 40%, organic matter will tend to dry out and not decompose rapidly. Over about 60%, not enough air can get into the pile and it can become anaerobic {no oxygen}.

A moisture content of approximately 50% is ideal for composting. Nature- Loo reduces the naturally high moisture content of human waste by separating the liquid waste from the solid waste by displacing it through a perforated floor into the liquid chamber. This prevents the process from becoming anaerobic.

Subsequently when the chamber is full and left to stand in the sun, no additional liquid is being added and the moisture content falls rapidly. Direct exposure to sunlight further reduces the moisture level. Unlike most other commercial composting toilets, with Nature Loo there is no need to only position the toilet on the sunny side of the building.

With the Excel in normal use, the thermostatically controlled heater and fan evaporate all excess liquid.

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