Reedbeds and Compost Toilets
Join us for a one-day practical course exploring compost toilets and off-grid water treatment systems, and learn from CAT’s decades of experience on this topic.
On the course, you will gain a foundational understanding of the principles, benefits and limitations of sustainable, low-energy wastewater systems.
This will be delivered in two key parts: compost toilets and off-grid water treatment systems. Both of these will have a theory and a practical component, taking advantage of the off-grid water systems here at CAT as a learning tool.
If you’re living or working in a remote location and need low-impact, eco-friendly options for wastewater management, CAT is the place to come for inspiration and advice. You’ll leave knowing how to get started when creating public or private cost-effective low-maintenance amenities in remote locations or where no other option is available.
Key Information
- Duration: 1 day
- Upcoming dates:
- Start and finish times: 9am to 5pm
- Fees: £125
- Includes: tuition and lunch.
- What to bring: we also strongly advise you to bring waterproof clothing.
- Terms and Conditions:
- you must be 18 years or over to attend our courses.
- For full list of terms and conditions click here
What you will learn
- Overview of alternative water systems and how they can contribute to a sustainable future, saving water and energy and turning waste into a resource
- Biological processes of composting and waste breakdown, and the factors that influence them
- Types of systems, including options for urine separation, chamber layouts, reedbeds, constructed wetlands, trench arches, aquatrons and greywater treatment
- Nutrient recovery, contaminants, safety and hygiene
- Main aspects of location, design and maintenance
- Cultural considerations, the ‘yuck’ factor, and legal and regulatory aspects of planning an alternative waste water system
- In-depth tour and exploration of alternative water systems in action at CAT
Tutor profile
Dr Alexandra Hamer
Alexandra Hamer is a senior lecturer at CAT’s Graduate School, teaching students on our MSc in Sustainability courses. She teaches on our postgraduate modules focusing on ecology and food. She also contributes GIS support to other modules and is particularly interested in helping students to become confident in the use of GIS.
Dieter Brandstätter
Dieter has worked at CAT for the last 5 years teaching on short courses, operating the funicular railway and making products for the site. He designed and built a CNC machine (that has the capability of running off solar power) and a wind tunnel (for use in the graduate school).
Initially training in Silversmithing and Product Design, his interests lie in the sustainable values of materials, and the spatial experience in buildings. Dieter’s specialism in wood and natural wood treatments has led him to Yakisugi, a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation, which can be seen on several of the signs around site.
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