Urine Diversion Application

Fluctuating High Urination Scenario

Regular parties and group gatherings

If you are prone to throwing parties or hosting large numbers of visitors regularly, urine diversion may be a good idea. Group gatherings tend to see a lot of drinking and, as a result, a lot of peeing.

When such a large amount of peeing is taking place regularly, urine can saturate the compost and become a problem. It can overload the system with ammonia, offsetting the composting balance and causing foul odour. Urine diversion is a great way to prevent this from happening. It will help keep the compost healthy and prevent smells.

Note that fluctuating high urination is different to intermittent high urination. Fluctuating high urination applies to regular scenarios of high urination only. Intermittent high urination applies to the odd occasion of group gatherings and can usually be managed by an all-in-one composting toilet with the temporary addition of highly absorbent bulking agent and compost black, an ammonia absorbing agent.

Cold Climate Scenario

Below 13°C average temperature

Urine diversion is beneficial in colder climates in which the composting toilet is installed outside, or inside a non-acclimatised building, below 13°C average temperature.

Reducing the moisture content of organics makes them less susceptible to thermal sink, heat loss and heat gain. A dryer compost is a more insulated compost, capable of better heat retention.

If your toilet is inside an acclimatised building, urine diversion is not essential. If, however, the toilet is in a cold environment and the chambers are in a location without solar gain or other forms of passive heating, urine diversion is beneficial and will help to avoid the loss of bio-activity caused by low temperature.

Note that composting will take place down to 3°C, but its efficiency is greatly reduced below 13°C. Read How to Maximise Passive Heating to learn about keeping your compost warm and operational in cold climates.

Mobile Toilet Scenario

Love hitting the road, but unsure of which toilet to install in your RV? Composting toilets that divert urine to a container are a strong solution to mobile toileting.

Such systems separate solids and liquids into separate chambers, providing a decent berthing cycle and convenience in terms of waste disposal. Having the urine in a separate container means it can be easily disposed of in public toilets or dump stations you encounter on the road.

It also means the solids chamber fills up slower, giving you more time on the road before it needs to be emptied.

Emergency / Back-up Toilet Scenario

If you live in an emergency-prone area and would like to ensure your family is able to toilet should disaster strike, or if you are simply looking for an additional toilet to accommodate more people, then urine diversion to a container is a great option.

Provided, however, that you have the appropriate means of urine disposal available to you. Generally, this means the existence of another toilet on-site, connected to sewerage or a septic tank.

For more info, see How to Dispose of Urine from a Urine Diversion to Container System.