Urine Diversion Option for
Barrel Composting Toilet, Option #1
(Updated 11/27/12)

 
Option #1 is an alternative to urinating into a 5 gallon bucket (described in the Barrel Toilet Users Manual).  It consists of 3 basic assemblies: a urine diverter built into each barrel, an optional urinal for men and a urine collection container.  The urine collection container is periodically emptied into mulch basins around trees, vines or shrubs.  

Option #1 is described in the photos below.  Also see materials list at bottom of page.:

Overview of urine diversion system.  (From left) red men's urinal, blue aging barrel, red 5 gallon urine collection container (in background) and black urine drain hoses.  Not shown: urine diverter inside toilet barrel. 

Front view of men's urinal.  Note that it is important for the hose to be level or preferably downhill all the way from funnel to collection container.  If not, air bubbles will form in uphill sections, preventing urine from flowing. 

Top view of urine diverter in active barrel.  The urine diversion option requires each barrel to be equipped with a complete diverter and hose assembly.  Note rubber bushing in bottom.  Urine hose fits tightly inside of rubber bushing, which is then pressed tightly inside of diverter.  Note also the stainless steel fasteners attaching the diverter to the front of the barrel. 

Urine diverter with removable stainless steel screen installed to prevent clogging caused by misplaced cover material.   

Urine diverter in barrel with hose attached. 

Front view of barrel showing top edge of diverter, wingnuts securing diverter to front of barrel and black urine drain hose exiting barrel.  Note also the cable straps and stainless steel fasteners securing urine drain hose to outside of barrel. 

Top view of red 5 gallon urine collection container.  Black urine hoses are friction fit into holes drilled into container.  Upside down valve box forms forms below ground receptacle so urine can gravity flow into urine container.  Hoses must be level or downhill from urine diverter all the way to collection container.  

Emptying urine container into mulch basin.
Notes on materials:

The more accurately the materials list is followed, the easier the installation will be.  All fasteners should be of stainless steel.  The 5 gallon plastic gas can for urine collection must have a vapor proof spout assembly to prevent odors.  The valve box is not necessary for indoor toilet installations--just set the urine collection container on the floor either beside or behind the toilet barrels.   Fuel line lengths are approximate--measure your installation for lengths needed.  

 
Notes on construction:

--#10 fasteners are used for securing the urine diverter to the barrel, for securing the urine drain hose clamps to the barrel and for securing the men's urinal to the wall.  Holes for these fasteners should be drilled using a 3/16" diameter drill bit.  

--The two holes for mounting the urine diverter to the barrel should be at the front of the barrel, about 2-1/2" and 4" below the top of the barrel.  Inserting the urine diverter fasteners through these holes is easier if the holes are a bit larger than 3/16" diameter (7/32" is good)     

--The hole for the urine drain hose to exit the barrel should be 1/2" in diameter and located about 12" below the top of the barrel.  

--The 2 urine drain hoses, one from the men's urinal and one from the urine diverter, will go into 2 holes drilled near the top of the 5 gallon urine collection container.  These 2 holes should be 1/2" diameter.  A 1/8" diameter hole should also be drilled near the top of the collection container to allow air release as urine flows into the container.  

--Take care to be sure that hoses are level or downhill all the way from funnels to collection container.  If not, air bubbles will form in uphill sections, preventing urine from flowing. 

-- The end of each hose that goes into the collection container should be cut at an angle to facilitate pushing the hose into the container.  The other end should be cut square across to fit into the bushings in the men's urinal and the diverter. 

--Insert the hose into the funnel (this applies to both the urinal funnel and the diverter funnel), then press the hose into the rubber bushing.  Use soapy water on the end of the hose and on the bushing to help get the hose into the bushing.  Gently press the bushing down into the funnel for a liquid-tight seal. 

--For outdoor installations in which the barrels are partially buried, a below grade receptacle for the collection container will need to be excavated in order to position the container below the height of the urinal and diverter.  This excavation can be lined with concrete blocks.  A 12" x 18" plastic irrigation valve box can also be used.  The valve box may be installed either right side up or upside down.  Check to be sure the gas can goes easily into the valve box before backfilling the box with dirt. 

Notes on use:

--The urine diversion system so effectively keeps urine out of the toilet barrel that some urine may have to be poured back into the barrel periodically to maintain sufficient moisture for effective decomposition.  

--Occasionally pieces of cover material may fall into the urine diverter.  A nylon or stainless steel scouring pad in the bottom of the diverter is helpful for keeping them from clogging the urine drain hose. 

--In case of a clogged urine hose, the easiest fix is to remove the end of the clogged hose from the collection container.  Wrap the mouth of a small but sturdy plastic bag around the end of the hose and hold it tightly with one hand.  The body of the bag should be full of air.  With the other hand, squeeze the bag fairly quickly.  This will force air backwards through the hose, dislodging the debris into the diverter funnel.  Clean out debris with toilet paper and drop it into the toilet.    

 

 

Materials List for Urine Diversion System

 Urine Diverter:

--Funnel, FloTool Super Quick Fill #10714WR                                                 $3.50 (AutoZone)
--Fuel line, 1/4” I.D. 8'@$1.20/ft.                                                                         $9.00 (AutoZone)
--Rubber bushing, Servalite #RBU 220                                                             $2.50 (Ace)
--Cable clamps, 1/2” plastic, 3@$.20                                                                $1.00 (Ace)
--Machine screws, stainless steel, pan-head #10-24 X 2”  2@$.40              $1.00 (Ace)
–Flat washers, stainless steel, #10  4@$.20                                                    $1.00 (Ace)
--Nuts, stainless steel, #10-24  4@$.15                                                             $1.00 (Ace)
--Wingnuts, stainless steel, #10-24 4@ .25                                                       $1.00 (Ace)
--Machine screws, stainless steel, pan-head #10-24 X 1/2”  3@$.20            $1.00 (Ace)
--Nuts, stainless steel, #10-24  3@$.15                                                             $0.50 (Ace)
--Sink screen, Danco # 88822                                                                            $3.47 (Home Depot)

                                                                                                          __________________________
                                                                                                                              $24.97 

 Men's Urinal:

--Funnel, FloTool Giant  # 10705                                                                     $5.00 (AutoZone)
--Fuel line, 1/4” I.D.     4'@$1.20/ft.                                                                  $5.00 (AutoZone)
--Rubber bushing, Servalite #RBU 205                                                          $1.50 (Ace)
–-Cable clamps, 1/2” plastic, 3@$.20                                                            $1.00 (Ace)
                                                                                                            __________________________
                                                                                                                           $12.50

 Urine Collection Container:

 --Gas can, Blitz 5-gal, plastic #81033                                                          $13.00 (AutoZone or Ace)
--Valve box, Drain Tech #1218VB (for outdoor installations only)             $21.00 (Ace)
                                                                                                            __________________________
                                                                                                                           $34.00

                                                                                                            ___________________________

                                                                                                           Total:       $71.47     

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