The provision of affordable public amenities in remote locations, such as boat ramps, campsites and frequently used tourist destinations is an issue for many Councils. These places invariably lack scheme water and reticulated sewerage and are often located in very scenic and environmentally sensitive locations.
The City of Albany on the south coast of Western Australia has developed an innovative design that has multiple benefits and demonstrates best practice.
The project received a National Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 2007 National Awards for Local Government.
Covering more than 4,000 square kilometres, Albany is an extremely popular tourist destination, with Council providing facilities for visitors such as surfers, bushwalkers, sightseers, paragliders, boaters and fisherman.
Council’s Landscape Designer, Stephen Deering, said that traditional toilet facilities are constructed from corrugated iron or brick and generally incorporate septic tank or ‘long drop’ technologies.
“These are usually unattractive, smelly, prone to vandalism and not supportive of all abilities access,” he said. “Facilities that do meet the standards of environmental agencies tend to be prohibitively expensive, and the construction footprint on the environment is considerable.”
When Council’s search for an off the shelf building did not come up with anything suitable, it compiled a design brief to hone in on a better solution.
Stephen Deering said Council installed a prototype of the design at a boat ramp in Albany in 2007. He said it is cost efficient, vandal resistant and environmentally friendly and it also has the ability to capture, store and deliver water for hygiene purposes.
“The eco toilet is a prefabricated unit that can be easily transported to the site, constructed in a short timeframe and at a minimal cost,” Stephen Deering said. “The use of a water tank within the structure and supply of metered water enable us to improve public health by capturing water for hand washing.”
By incorporating clever design, water recycling, composting technology and flexibility in configurations and aesthetics, the eco toilet can be installed at various sites to meet demand, while adhering to environmental constraints.
The units can be installed as a single all access unit or a full public convenience, with sections for males, females and people with disabilities. They can be fitted with an off the shelf dehydrating composting waste unit and use captured water for hand washing, or have the captured water supplemented with town water for flushing systems where water and sewerage systems are available. Stephen Deering said Council is now in the process of refining the prototype, to make it simpler and even more cost effective to construct.
“Once this is complete, the toilets will be rolled out across the Albany area,” he said. “We have already had much community interest in the toilets and many suggestions of where they should be located.
“The low initial, maintenance and whole of life costs will enable the toilet to be installed at more locations than previously, thus improving delivery of services to the community.”
Albany is now producing a low cost kit with construction drawings, engineering certifications and installation instructions so other Councils can share the design’s many advantages.
For further information contact Stephen Deering on (08) 9841 9210.
