Composting Toilets: How it works: Pathogens

Installation | Moisture | Oxygen | Temperature | Pathogens

An important function of the composting process is the destruction of pathogens. Most are killed in the thermophilic stage. Composting at temperatures above 55 °C for one day kills almost all pathogens.

As the Nature Loo chamber is in use for around 6 months, and is composting by itself for another 6 months, there is little chance of any pathogens surviving, even if the composting process does not reach thethermophilic stage. In addition, our unique use of isolated chambers ensures no recontamination from fresh waste.

Since a Nature Loo chamber's internal temperature can reach 45 degrees centigrade in winter in Northern NSW, there is little chance of any pathogen surviving a number of months under such conditions even in cooler climates.

The temperature profile of the Excel is controlled thermostatically so as to ensure that any pathogens do not survive.

A typical analysis of the humus from a Nature Loo shows no traces of Faecal Streptococci, Faecal Coliforms or Salmonella sp.

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