There are a lot of misconceptions around bio digesters as an effective toilet waste water management system. Usually people are not sure how such a small box can contain human waste and serve a whole household without getting full. But because Bio Digester toilets are used as part of the process of treating bio degradable toilet waste water and sewage sludge, the process often referred to as aerobic digestion is adopted. Natural composting organic manure is introduced to treat all organic bio degradable materials through the natural process of aerobic decomposition. Flushed water and solid waste enter from the top of the Bio-digester where rapid separation of solids and liquid contents of the waste occurs. The water will then be organically filtered out of the bottom of the digester and drained into the soil. Other solids (toilet rolls & all degradable cleaning materials) are decomposed and converted into compost which can be taken in the future for use to fertilize crops. Now the final effluent (waste water) produced is a clear, odorless and pathogen free liquid suitable for discharge either into an absorbing chamber, waste watercourse or customized soak hole trenches or a drain field system.
Because the bio digester is a simple onsite organic waste treatment system, 3 steps biological filtration process is adopted in the box. Bacteria and other micro-organisms generated through this technology then bio degrades the human waste. The Bio Digesters can be used up to 15 for the compost to be taken out which involves scooping out the solid remains (manure) with a shovel for easy disposal. This is new to what we are accustomed to over the years whereby a tanker shows up to collect physical human waste which is often dumped in watercourses. In highly developed countries, the Bio Digesters are used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere.
We fill the bottom of the chamber with a layer of rocks. With each rock about 3” in diameter. The layer of large rocks will determine the absorption field and it will be based on how deep the chamber will be. A typical construction of an absorbing chamber must ensure that the bottom of the chamber is 2ft below the bottom of the leachate pipe. The depth of the chamber from the surface of the ground will depend on the water table of the location.
Even though bio digester toilets cost has come up lately for public discussions, there is no doubt they have become the choice for most home owners in many developing African countries today. While there are no concrete research available that shows the exact percentage currently adopting this technology, there is no doubt it is effectively helping improve the sanitation situation in most homes. Here are some advantages a Bio degradable toilet digester over manholes and septic tanks:
Less space required for digester
Quick installations (can be installed in a day)
Odorless
Fly free system
Environmentally safe
Can last for more than 50yrs
No vehicular dislodgement
Eco friendly & environmentally safe
There have been some misconceptions about this saying but what we are simply saying is that with Bio Digesters, you don’t need a truck to show up to empty your tank. Bio Digesters use an aerobic digestion process which turns solid waste into sand (manure) which can easily be disposed off as fertilizer for your crops. As a result, no septic sludge is stored and as a result the bio digester product has a unique ‘odor free’ operation guarantee.
