Waste management is always a high priority for ecotourism operators and sewerage management, especially in remote and/or sensitive sites, can present special challenges. Grant Webster established VIROtech in 1987 to bring practical and environmentally sensible products into the mainstream with a focus on waterless toilet technology. He is now recognised as Australia’s foremost authority on waterless compost toilets.
VIROtech have four brands and 19 models in their range, but Grant has a particular passion for their flagship product, the Clivus Multrum (CM) range of compost toilet systems. “The CM units are still built according to the original Swedish design – beautifully simple and inherently reliable. In 30 odd years, I’ve never had a single complaint about a CM unit. They’re bulletproof.” With clients ranging from householders to government departments and agencies including Communities NSW, NSW Roads and Maritime Services, the Australian Defence Force and local governments, Grant is well qualified to offer experienced and reliable advice. Clivus Multrum systems are fully accredited with environmental and health authorities in every state and territory in Australia.
Maintenance involves adding carbon rich material (wood shavings) periodically and checking the fan and drain – a 10 minute job. There are no containers to move or store and running costs are estimated at $1.50/mth for the 12V fan. The fan is the only moving part and the chamber is all plastic and stainless steel, so these systems simply don’t break down. They utilise natural aerobic bacteria to reduce waste to around 5% of the original volume in an odour free process to produce a small amount of pathogen-free humus which is easily and safely disposed of on-site. The ventilation system evacuates all ‘human’ odours so the room smells like air, or the bush outside.
If accommodation is part of your business, these waterless compost toilets not only offer significant water savings, they eliminate discharge to the environment apart from a small amount of humus. Eliminating ‘black water’ from your on-site sewerage management system also makes life much simpler (and less expensive) with the remaining greywater easily disposed of in a simple (inexpensive) sub-surface irrigation system*. If you need toilet facilities for clients at remote and/or sensitive sites, CM units don’t require power or water and can be sited close to watercourses.
For more information on these incredibly simple and sensible systems visit virotech.com.au
*Council approval is required prior to installation of any on-site sewerage management system.
