Classic 850 Used in a 120 Year Old Queenslander

CASE STUDY

Classic 850 Used in a 120 Year Old Queenslander

By Angela D., QLD

"My intentions long term was to go as off grid as possible and the composting toilet system would make it a lot easier to get off of the town water supply. My highest water bill has been $11.00 since installing the composting toilet."

CUSTOMER

Angela D., QLD

PRODUCT

Nature Loo Classic 850

LOCATION

Central Queensland

WHEN

2021

WHY CHOOSE A COMPOSTING TOILET?

My partner and I bought an old house, in a little ex-mining town. We were on a very tight budget. We’d already replaced the roof, to great expense, on this at the time 110 (now 120) year old Queenslander. The septic system died. The plumber came out and the trenching had fully collapsed. Additionally the actual septic tank, which was old as dirt, was collapsing as well. The concrete it was made from was crumbling to pieces. The plumber said that the new style septics were around $11k to $13k or more. He was going to try to source me a like for like replacement for the tank. I came across the above mentioned toilet system and decided it was a no brainer. The composting system was less than a 10th of the cost and I wouldn’t need to have my entire backyard dug up, trenching run everywhere, etc. Plus the bonus of saving water. My intentions long term was to go as off grid as possible and the composting toilet system would make it a lot easier to get off of the town water supply.

WHAT WAS THE INITIAL REACTION FROM FAMILY? FRIENDS?

My in-laws thought it was fantastic, as they are very much ecofriendly. A few people have said it is “weird” but mostly people have been supportive. Particularly when they learn that my highest water bill has been $11.00 since installing the composting toilet.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR LOO?

The savings in water is going to be the LOVE thing. I feel like I am genuinely being proactive in saving water. Between that and the solar system that we installed on the property, I feel good about doing something to try to minimise the impact we leave on the earth.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A COMPOSTING TOILET TO OTHERS?

Yes and I have. In my job in real estate, I run into this issue more often than the average person might. I’ve recommended it several times, particularly to people that are buying property that doesn’t have town services, like mains water. Most of the properties up this way aren’t on mains sewage. They are choosing between a septic system, which could be upwards of $20k and requires regular pumping now, unlike the old systems OR they can get the composting system for less money now and save more money long term.