4 ms·

I wish you would read the article and watch the video. The target market and business model is well explained. Can you imagine a region in the world that does n

by glibgil 11y ago

I wish you would read the article and watch the video. The target market and business model is well explained. Can you imagine a region in the world that does not have running water and sewers and may actually enter in the "first world" before those services do? Well then, that's what this toilet is for.

roywiggins 11y ago
Composting toilets don't need water either. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet Alternatively, just try to divert urine so it never mixes in the first place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine-diverting_dry_toilets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine-diverting_dry_toilets Both of these seem on first glance to be easier to maintain.
- glibgil 11y ago
  Yeah, this toilet isn't for rural use. It is for places that should have sewers but don't and that probably never will get sewers. It is for dirty cities in the third world.
  - brianwawok 11y ago
    Will the cost of these toilets ever make sense for that? When I see things like "Turn a 2L bottle into a light" for a really poor area - I think awesome, something they already have laying around can make their lives way better. When I see things like "Nano-polmer super toilet for those without running water" I just kind of shrug. Seems to cost more than adding running water, while still not providing a clean place to drink. What am I missing?
    - cpayne 11y ago
      (I think!!!) it is a problem of scale. In 3rd world locations, you can be walking 3km every 2nd day to fill a jerrycan of water. If that's the case then you aren't going to use that to flush. And even if you do (using grey water after cleaning etc.), then you won't have the toilet inside the house.
      - brianwawok 11y ago
        So how much does installing this super toilet cost, best case? How much to run a line of fresh water to the house? If <cost of toilet> is not less than <cost of fresh water line / 10>, it seems like not a win - as fresh water can solve both drinking and help with sanitation (though not get you all the way there).

by glibgil 11y ago

roywiggins 11y ago

Composting toilets don't need water either. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet Alternatively, just try to divert urine so it never mixes in the first place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine-diverting_dry_toilets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine-diverting_dry_toilets Both of these seem on first glance to be easier to maintain.

glibgil 11y ago
Yeah, this toilet isn't for rural use. It is for places that should have sewers but don't and that probably never will get sewers. It is for dirty cities in the third world.
- brianwawok 11y ago
  Will the cost of these toilets ever make sense for that? When I see things like "Turn a 2L bottle into a light" for a really poor area - I think awesome, something they already have laying around can make their lives way better. When I see things like "Nano-polmer super toilet for those without running water" I just kind of shrug. Seems to cost more than adding running water, while still not providing a clean place to drink. What am I missing?
  - cpayne 11y ago
    (I think!!!) it is a problem of scale. In 3rd world locations, you can be walking 3km every 2nd day to fill a jerrycan of water. If that's the case then you aren't going to use that to flush. And even if you do (using grey water after cleaning etc.), then you won't have the toilet inside the house.
    - brianwawok 11y ago
      So how much does installing this super toilet cost, best case? How much to run a line of fresh water to the house? If <cost of toilet> is not less than <cost of fresh water line / 10>, it seems like not a win - as fresh water can solve both drinking and help with sanitation (though not get you all the way there).