Valley View promotes ecologically friendly toilets

Oyibi (G/A), GNA - The Valley View University at Oyibi near Accra on Wednesday commissioned two toilets described as ecologically friendly of which one needed no water to operate while the other functions with only half of water the closet system uses.

The Terra Nova Composting Toilet system modelled on the water closest type needed no water installation system, utilizes human waste and other organic materials, prevents smell by negative pressure and its discharged is used compost and discharges nutrients organic waste from waste water.

The other one, which is also on the similar model and known as Gustavsberg Separation Toilet saves 50 per cent for each flushing, discharges nutrients for agricultural use and saves cost for waste water treatment.

Dr Christopher Carey, Vice President for Advancement of the University said the introduction of the toilets was in line with the school's aim of promoting Ecological Sanitation System that was hygienically friendly and to promote efficient waste management.

He said the introduction of the toilets was a part of sanitation week of the University which was on the theme: Making good use of water: Saving water and improving the environment.

Mr Wolfgang Berger, a German Engineer, who designed the toilets said, "the composting toilet systems turn human excreta, toilet paper and organic waste from the kitchen and garden into compost, which could be used as soil improver for non food plants in the garden."

Dr Michael Tsiagbey, Senior Research Scientist of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, presenting a paper on greywater and rainwater harvesting for sustainable development in Ghana, said there was too much waste in the domestic usage of water.

He said harvesting of rainwater was also inadequate thus the demand for and the use of water puts strain on the economy.

Defining greywater as any water that has been used in the home, except that from toilets, Dr Tsiagbey said such water could be stored in a hygienic way and used for simple irrigation purposes to increase food production through out the year.