The Composting Toilet System Book: A Practical Guide to Choosing, Planning and Maintaining Composting Toilet Systems, an Alternative to Sewer and Septic Systems (2000, 240 pp, Book)
David Del Porto and Carol Steinfeld, Center for Ecological Pollution Prevention
Composting toilet systems and other ecological wastewater management methods are emerging as viable and cost-saving alternatives to wastewater disposal systems worldwide. The book details why, and how to choose, install and maintain them.
The Easy Septic Guide (2000, 42 pp, PDF)
Abbey Thomas (New South Wales, Australia)
Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, Third Edition (2005, 256 pp, Book, PDF, plus online videos)
Joseph C. Jenkins, self-published
This book covers all the basics of human waste management, from septic systems to commercial composting toilets, sewers, and more. A history of various composting methods, science, and problems is accompanied by a healthy dose of humor plus a solid foundation of science into pathogens, pros and cons of competing systems, and more.
Liquid Gold - The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants (2004, 96 pp, Book)
Carol Steinfeld, Ecowaters
Liquid Gold features three ways to use urine hygienically and productively for plant growth, with studies that show the science behind this practice. Several advocates of urine diversion and their gardens are profiled, demonstrating that using urine for fertilizer is a feasible, safe, and cost-saving way to prevent pollution and save on fertilizer costs.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual (2002, multiple PDFs)
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Water
This manual provides up-to-date information on onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) siting, design, installation, maintenance, and replacement. It reflects significant advances that the expert community has identified to help OWTS become more cost-effective and environmentally protective, particularly in small suburban and rural areas.
Reusing the Resource: Adventures in Ecological Wastewater Recycling (2007, 124 pp, Book)
Carol Steinfeld, Ecowaters
This book profiles more than 50 successful ecological wastewater recycling systems that use plants to stabilize, clean, filter and use up wastewater (and its nutrients and carbon) or discharge it to be used again to flush toilets, nourish plants, provide fuel, and more, while sequestering carbon and nitrogen and turning it into valuable products.
Sewage Solutions: Answering the Call of Nature (2001, 192 pp, Book)
Nick Grant, et al., Centre for Alternative Technologies
Sewage Solutions explains such natural methods of treatment as reed beds, cess pits, water stabilization ponds, septic tanks and compost toilets, and also describes how to collect and recycle waste water. Whether connected to municipal drain systems or not, this is the guide for all interested in the complete process of sewage recycling. Note that this book originates from Europe and may contain measurement units, etc. not commonly used in the US.
Small-Scale Constructed Wetland Treatment Systems: Feasibility, Design Criteria, and O and M Requirements (2006, 304 pp, Book or PDF)
Scott D Wallace, P.E. and Robert L Knight, PhD for Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). This report, based on data collected from 1,640 projects, covers the design and use of small-scale treatment wetlands. It describes the feasibility of such wetlands and their use, and covers the latest in wetland treatment technology.
Toilets That Make Compost. Low-cost, sanitary toilets that produce valuable compost for crops in an African context (2007, 114 pp, PDF)
Peter Morgan. Aquamor: Harare, Zimbabwe. Stockholm Environment Institute, EcoSanRes Programme
