Study: Toilets Need Radical Redesign

Live Science ^ | 7/30/07 | Corry Binns

[Millee]

The Western World's dependence on flush toilets could be its environmental downfall.

Toilets that use less water, such as the "squat toilet" in which one squats over a hole in the ground, are prevalent in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa, but a new historical study suggests that after decades of flushing, it will take radical innovations for the mainstream West to adopt any new system.

"Most people can hardly imagine that other ways of handling human waste have ever existed," said study author Maj-Britt Quitzau, an environmental sociologist with the National Environmental Research Institute of Denmark. "But actually, systems did exist prior to the flushing toilet where human waste was collected within the cities and re-used in farming areas."

Since the 1900s, scientists have known that flushing away human waste comes with environmental consequences , such as using precious, potable water. Each year, a typical person will use almost 4,000 gallons of drinking water to flush away 75 pounds of feces and 130 gallons of urine, according to a 2001 study by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

[Millee]

Why Western Civilization is better, # 954,014: we don't have to squat over a hole in the ground to go to the bathroom.

[dfwgator]

Damn Lo-Flo toilets are bad enough. Where one flush used to do the job, now it takes 3 or 4 flushes.

[Millee]

Agreed!!! HATE our “water saving” toilets!!

[dirtboy]

"But actually, systems did exist prior to the flushing toilet where human waste was collected within the cities and re-used in farming areas."

Never mind that the life expectancy back then was about 42 years...

[Fintan]

"But actually, systems did exist prior to the flushing toilet where human waste was collected within the cities and re-used in farming areas."

 

Jobs Americans don't want to do.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Do the French still dump raw sewage in the Sine?

[DangerDanger]

Toilets need a radical redesign!?

Man, this is one issue I simply do not give a sh*t about!

[Cvengr]

What the hell is an environmental socialist?

[Cvengr]

Pardon me, What the hell is an environmental sociologist?

[woofer]

systems did exist prior to the flushing toilet where human waste was collected within the cities and re-used in farming areas

Spreading human waste on cropland was outlawed around 1970, at least in Illinois.

[aShepard]

Of course, the article doen’t mention the obvious: a dual plumbing system in each house/apartment.

Shower drains and bathroom sink drains that go into a tank, to be routed to the toilet system when needed to flush.

This relatively clean “gray water” could easily give double service.

[NRA1995]

And WE are the ones accused of trying to turn the clock back!

[golfisnr1]

Buy a Toto (Japanese Made)!!! One Flush works every time with 1/2 the water as others.

[Brainhose]

Yes they do dump it in the "Sine" and it creates quite a wave.
A Sine wave curiously enough.

[Brainhose]

[alwaysconservative]

Campers and motorhomes use gray water for that very purpose, and it is a huge water saver.

[alwaysconservative]

Gray water TANKS. When I type too fast, I omit key words, sheesh!

[Red Boots]

Toilets that use less water, such as the "squat toilet" in which one squats over a hole in the ground, are prevalent in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa, but a new historical study suggests that after decades of flushing, it will take radical innovations for the mainstream West to adopt any new system.

These people have such a dim view of humankind. We've embraced thousands, if not millions, of radical innovations in our history, why not now ? We love new stuff, it's human nature.

[martin_fierro]

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout.

[Dixie Yooper]

I agree with you that Toto makes the highest quality toilets and urinals as well as flush valves on the market. Their styling is geared more toward modern trends in design where Kohler and American Standard have much wider design ranges.

If you interested in the most environmentally designed systems available, this might interest you, http://www.thenaturalhome.com/clivusmultrum.htm There is an entire office building designed around one of these systems in Maryland that was built about 15 years ago. The building used gray water technology and solar power to offset utility costs.