Future Testing

The sanitation facility will be set up as an enxperiment with data collection and testing performed on a regular basis. The result of these tests will supply us with data that will be used by future students to advance and improve upon the design of the sanitation facility. In addition, these tests will give the project centre a unique connection with professors and student groups from University of Cape Town who will be able to continue the testing and research after we have left Cape Town. This collaboration is essensial for the water centre to function in our absence. The final result of these tests will allow for a continuously refined proposal to the City of Cape Town allowing them to take advantage of our most recent findings to use for future redevelopment projects.

Experiments Performed:

• Qualify best composting method.

Examine the effect of worms, effective microorganisms and no additives on the composting process and determine which creates the best compost. Evaluate cost, complexity, ease of use, amount of carbon additive needed, composting time, and compost quality.

• Define need for urine divergence.

Examine the effect of urine on the composting process to determine if urine helps composting. For each case evaluate amount of carbon additive needed, changes in compost time, changes in compost temperature quality of compost, and volume reduction or increase.

• Experiment with container design

Examine the effect of container design on the composting process to determine the most effective design. Evaluate cost, compost temperature, compost quality and ease of use.

• Qualify the ideal type and quantity of carbon source added

Examine the effect of carbon additive on the composting process to determine the correct type and quantity of carbin material to add. Evaluate availability of material, changes in compost time, quality of compost, and volume reduction or increase.

• Define ideal volume of compost in container

Examine the effect of airspace in the composting container on the composting process to determine the ideal fill volume. Evaluate compost quality, compost time, and compost temperature.

• Quantify ideal compost time

Examine the effects of time on compost quality to determine the ideal composting time.

• Define ideal turning/mixing of compost

Examine the effect of turning on compost quality to determine the ideal frequency of turning/mixing. Evaluate compost quality, compost time, and compost temperature.

• Quality of edible plants grown in human compost

Examine the quality of different plants grown in human compost to determine possibility of using for food gardens. Grow a variety of plants in compost from facility and evaluate the pathogen content in plants.

• Define ideal method of greywater purification for informal settlement setting

Examine quality and composition of pre-treatment grey water to determine. Experiment with different forms of grey water purfication techniques and compare to effectiveness of installed bioflter.

•  Qualify the feasibilty of using grey water treated with a biofilter for agricultural use

Examine the quality of post biofilter treated grey water on different plants to determine the possiblity of using grey water on gardens. Evaluate pathogen content in plants.