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| sewg:sewage [2025/12/12 16:47] – dave | sewg:sewage [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| Pollution pathways: effluent from septic tanks can cause pollution to groundwater resources and surface water habitats if not adequately filtered through deep unsaturated soil. Source: _[Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds](/reed/reed_beds)_. | _Pollution pathways: effluent from septic tanks can cause pollution to groundwater resources and surface water habitats if not adequately filtered through deep unsaturated soil. Source: _[Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds](/reed/reed_beds)_._ |
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| Newly-planted gravel reed bed system serving a single dwelling. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/). | _Newly-planted gravel reed bed system serving a single dwelling. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/)._ |
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| Collecting ‘night soil’ (aka human faeces) used to be a common practice in many parts of the world. Collections were made at night (and still are in some places), and deposited on agricultural land. We wouldn’t recommend this without composting first, as some human pathogens can survive outside the human body long enough to be passed on via food (although the risk is low). | _Collecting ‘night soil’ (aka human faeces) used to be a common practice in many parts of the world. Collections were made at night (and still are in some places), and deposited on agricultural land. We wouldn’t recommend this without composting first, as some human pathogens can survive outside the human body long enough to be passed on via food (although the risk is low)._ |
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| Danish zero-discharge [willow system](wsew:willow_sewage_treatment). Note the two different heights of willow growth (photograph taken in late June). The foreground shows vigorous fresh growth after coppicing the previous February. The back half of the system shows growth in its third year, due to be coppiced the following February. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/). | _Danish zero-discharge [willow system](wsew:willow_sewage_treatment). Note the two different heights of willow growth (photograph taken in late June). The foreground shows vigorous fresh growth after coppicing the previous February. The back half of the system shows growth in its third year, due to be coppiced the following February. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/)._ |
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| [[wlur:Waterless urinals]] don’t use mains water to flush, and can divert urine to be diluted (or composted with straw, sawdust etc.) and used as fertiliser. | _[[wlur:Waterless urinals]] don’t use mains water to flush, and can divert urine to be diluted (or composted with straw, sawdust etc.) and used as fertiliser._ |
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| Sewage treatment and sanitation options. Source: derived from [_Septic Tank Options and Alternatives_](/sept/septic_tanks). | _Sewage treatment and sanitation options. Source: derived from [_Septic Tank Options and Alternatives_](/sept/septic_tanks)._ |
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| [Compost toilets](/cptt/compost_toilets) require no water to flush, no pipework to sewage treatment plants, no chemicals to treat waste, and produce useful compost. | _[Compost toilets](/cptt/compost_toilets) require no water to flush, no pipework to sewage treatment plants, no chemicals to treat waste, and produce useful compost._ |
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| 50% of phosphorus (P), 75% of potassium (K) and 90% of nitrogen leaves the human body as urine rather than faeces – which makes human pee a great fertiliser. Source: Michigan Tech. | _50% of phosphorus (P), 75% of potassium (K) and 90% of nitrogen leaves the human body as urine rather than faeces – which makes human pee a great fertiliser. Source: Michigan Tech._ |
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| Aquatron separator unit for faecal separation and composting. Note the rotating carousel chamber beneath the separator unit for ease of management and maintenance. The pipe at the top left corner is a grey water pipe, routed around the separator unit. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/). | _Aquatron separator unit for faecal separation and composting. Note the rotating carousel chamber beneath the separator unit for ease of management and maintenance. The pipe at the top left corner is a grey water pipe, routed around the separator unit. Source: [FH Wetland Systems](http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/)._ |
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| ## Specialists | ## Specialist curators of this topic |
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