Guide to choosing the right urine-diverting toilet
Separett’s recommendation: The right urine-diverting toilet for your needs
Which toilet solution is right for you? There is a lot to consider, but at Separett, we have more than 40 years of experience with urine-diverting toilets and waterless toilets. That is why we have created a guide to help you find the right environmentally friendly solution for your home, tiny house or camping needs.
Local authority regulations for urine-diverting toilets
All local authorities have regulations regarding the handling of latrine waste, urine and urine-mixed wastewater from toilets. The requirements vary depending on local environmental conditions. These rules are primarily intended to prevent diseases that could be spread by bacteria outside the toilet or compost.
In most cases, the ground must be sealed and the material must not be spread until after 12–15 months. In many municipalities, urine may be spread on your own property, while in others this is not permitted. Some authorities also require a minimum area for spreading urine.
You should therefore contact the relevant environmental or health protection authority to find out which options are permitted for you. Many municipalities publish this information on their websites. Once an application to install a urine-diverting toilet is reviewed, the authorities generally expect the solution to:
- Achieve the level of protection required for the location
- Be designed for five year-round residents, even if it is a second home
- Be supplemented by some form of greywater treatment
Keep in mind that many municipalities have already abolished traditional septic tank emptying, or will do so soon. It is therefore important to find out early which regulations apply at your location. When choosing the right urine-diverting toilet, you should consider in particular:
- How waste disposal will be handled
- Which requirements your municipality has for installation
- Additional information on our product page
Accessible space and site conditions
An additional space underneath or near the toilet room opens up more possibilities. For new builds or renovations, it is important to decide early which toilet solution will be used. Spaces underneath can, for example, be used for waste containers or composting systems. Where urine infiltration is permitted, soil conditions, distance to surface water, drinking water sources and property boundaries play an important role. Test pits are often required to assess the suitability of the site.
Comfort, maintenance and costs of urine-diverting toilets
Consider how much comfort you want. Should the urine-diverting toilet be used like a conventional toilet, or is a simpler version sufficient? How much maintenance are you prepared to carry out, from composting to urine spreading? Costs vary depending on comfort, installation work and maintenance. Higher comfort generally means higher investment and operating costs.
Finding the right toilet solution
Choosing the right solution is not always easy. Budget, site conditions and personal involvement in waste handling all play a role. At Separett, we have decades of experience with waterless urine-diverting toilets. If you are unsure, we are happy to help you choose. We have a solution that suits you.
Our urine-diverting toilets
Our range includes various urine-diverting models suitable for different needs. Thanks to the separation of urine and solids, very little odour is produced, and a built-in fan efficiently removes any remaining odours. The toilets can run on mains power, battery or solar power and only require ventilation.
Separett Villa is particularly popular, thanks to its robust design, high capacity and easy handling. It is suitable for holiday homes, tiny houses and permanent homes.
Our model Tiny is developed for small spaces such as tiny houses, motorhomes, caravans or boats. You can choose whether the urine is collected in a container or led away through a hose.
Separett Weekend Prime is a compact and simplified urine-diverting toilet, designed for occasional use in places where electricity or ventilation is not available. Built on the same robust frame as Separett Tiny, it is durable, easy to maintain and suitable for cabins, forest plots, boats, off-grid living or temporary use during renovations. Weekend Prime has no electronic components, fan or moving privacy screen, making it completely silent and especially robust. Urine is collected in an internal tank, while solid waste is collected in a compostable bio bag.
For existing outhouses or DIY solutions, we offer Privy – a simple upgrade for improved hygiene and comfort. Many customers have already successfully integrated Privy into vans, buses or tiny houses. For a simpler portable solution, we also offer Separett Rescue Camping.
Waste handling is ecological: solid waste can be composted, and urine can be used as plant fertiliser (for example with our Ejector Tank). Are you looking for a hygienic, waterless and user-friendly solution? Then take a closer look at our urine-diverting toilets.
Seated urinal
Our Pee model is a seated urinal for the simple and hygienic collection of urine. The urine can later be diluted and used as plant fertiliser – an environmentally friendly solution for gardens and leisure use. If you only need a toilet for urination, Pee is the right choice.
Always read the relevant user and installation manual before installing a toilet or setting up waste handling systems. This helps ensure the best possible experience.
We wish you the best of luck in choosing and using your urine-diverting toilet!