Topic outline

  • Guide to Composting Toilets

    Credits: 2 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, over 2 billion people in the world lack access to proper sanitation and toilets. In those parts of the world without access to modern toilets and sanitation, latrines are used as a temporary storage for human waste. The latrines are often emptied into the nearest body of water, which may also serve as a water supply. Composting toilets can provide a sanitary method of waste treatment in areas without running water or electricity.

    Composting toilet (CT) technology provides many advantages over pit, VIP, water-sealed toilets, and septic systems. One of their greatest advantages is that they can be built anywhere, and usually for not very much up-front cost, making them excellent choices in rural or remote areas and undeveloped areas. These advantages make composting toilets one of the solutions that can be used to improve sanitation conditions that are unsafe in many parts of the world.

    Materials used for the construction of CTs can be adapted to various geographic locations as well as the proximity to suppliers that many contain the necessary materials. Materials used for constructing the toilet shelter on top of the chambers will differ from site to site. The CT design in this course was adapted from toilets used in Tonga, Kiribati, and Fiji. This course is based on the Peace Corps publication, Composting Toilet Construction Manual.

    Topics:

    • Tools & Materials List
    • Construction Steps
    • Selecting and Preparing a Site
    • Mixing the Concrete
    • Constructing the Foundation Slab
    • Constructing the Chambers
    • Constructing ET Beds
    • Constructing Toilet House Floor Slab
    • Constructing False Floor
    • Constructing Access Doors
    • Building House on Top of the Chambers
    • Operating and Maintenance
    • Technical Specifications

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for engineering professionals whose job description may require a basic knowledge of composting toilet facilities, such as those practicing within the environmental, civil, and water resource disciplines.
    Publication Source: US Peace Corp

    D. Allen Hughes, PE

    • Topic 1