The Humanure Handbook

In my research on water conservation, I fell into the topic of composting toilets. It makes sense to me not to use water in toilets when water availability is an issue as it is on our new land. But I still wanted to know more so I asked around if anyone knew about these devices. My friend from The Veggie Patch Re-imagined recommended I read The Humanure Handbook.


A surprisingly good book!

I really didn't expect much from this book but I ended up finding it absolutely fascinating!

The point of this book is to explain that it is not only possible but a very good idea to compost human body waste. It also explains in detail how to do it safely.

After reading the book, there is no question in my mind what kind of toilets we are installing in our new house! Composting toilets not only reduce water consumption but they also eliminate the risk of the contamination of nearby ground water supply. Plus, you end up with great nutrients for your flower bed or garden. This one is a no-brainer!

All I have to do now is to convince my husband...

Houston, we have a (water) problem

So has anyone out there thought: "I wonder how these guy can afford to buy 100 acres of land in Ottawa"?

Well, it's because there is a problem with the land. It is lack of water supply. We cannot drill a well because the water has a LOT of sulfur. The city has one water outlet for the whole 100 acres and we were told there would never be more.

So the price of the land was only slightly more expensive than a 5 acre lot we saw in an executive neighbourhood a few km away (out of the sulfur zone).

Here was our thought process: if we manage to NOT use the city outlet (use rain water, surface water, air water...), we could sever off a 5 acre lot and sell it (with the city water outlet). Then the rest of the land will have been quite affordable!

So the next order of business is: finding potable water and water conservation!