Human Urine

When I done a 3 year contract for Scottish water I used to like visiting the reed bed sites. The water at the final bed was crystal clear.

http://www.johnstonsmith.co.uk/fact17.html

 

as much as i support the idea of waste recycling, imagine how catasrophic a binman stike would be if people had bins full of **** :p

 

Once the easy "quick wins" have been had then comes the options that will be perceived as more difficult because they will involve lifestyle changes.

When I say "don't flush the loo if you have a pee" people say "I couldn't do that, it would stink" ... they clearly haven't tried it, but it won't be long before they have to, might as well start now ...

I'd like a urinal (preferably for girls as well as boys) that was in some way connected to a "watering can" that was in no way unpleasant to handle and put on the compost heap (if neat) or on the plants (if it started with, or was mixed with, some water). Anyone seen such a thing?

 

Yes, I've got a Porta Potti (earlier version of pic below) and if only used for wees and no blue stuff is added it can be poured using the spout (under the top part seat/reservoir) and water pumped in after after each flush:

 

I put four dogs' waste in the bin (bagged of course), plus as Loofah said, pooey nappies go in.

 

Apart from the obvious ongoing debate about what can and can't be used in the garden etc in terms of number 1s and 2s, and the stigma attached to it, I think it will soon be essential for the masses to consider the point.

In parts of the UK we're facing water shortages already this year. In parts of the south east there is already a drought. Up here we're not officially in drought yet but the ground is bone dry and Scaling and Lockwood ressys are noticeably low.

Demand for water is increasing year on year, partly because of lifestyle changes, but also because the population is expanding.

Sooner or later it will become necessary to face a choice between flushing the loo and washing (or cleaning veg etc), just because we'll have to be so frugal with water.

It seems crazy to me that while the lawn is dying of dehydration because of hosepipe bans, several gallons of water per day are being flushed down the loo in every household.

If you have a lawn that is really struggling for water, and somebody said "here you go my friend, here's several gallons of water mixed with various minerals in the right proportions to feed and water your lawn" and you said, "excellent, just pour it down that big white throne if you don't mind", it would be crazy, yet in effect that's exactly what most of us will do this summer.

 

sorry for the bump...
if human waste is dangerous because we are carnivores/omnivores surely vegetarian waste is acceptable?

 

Same pathogens though :(

 

Wow, how completely fascinating! I don't think I'd ever go to the lengths of transferring my urine to my lawn, but it's good to know I have a backup, built-in fertilizer if the need ever arises.

 

I came into this section looking for info about manure and find a discussion about the human kind!

I had a bit of a lol at the thought of taking a pee in the tiny front garden of my back to back terrace house. Certainly would provide some comment.

My parents use a compost toilet, which breaks down waste aerobically. You end up with a dry compost you can use on the garden - but not on veg crops, to be safe. There are two types, a DIY 'longdrop' where it all goes into a barrel and rots, aided by a fan. Then a manufactured one that rotates the turds on a disc to dry them out!

 

Too drunk last night to remember where you applied that recycled beer fertilizer? Here's a handy device which will enable you to check exactly where it went for only £2.99 + 99p P&P: UV Urine Detector

Hurry because it's a 24 hour deal that expires in 14 hours! EDIT: Price has now gone up to £4.99 + P&P.

 

Where on earth do you discover all this "trivia" Scrungee? Good job I don't suffer from "compulsive shopper" syndrome. That saving of £18.00 is almost too good to miss!!
Jenny

 

Trivia? I thought it's an essential (mainstream) item for obtaining proper coverage for those who spray their gardens after dark (when that detector works best by the way).

 

I think you ought to stay in more Scrungee,
Jenny