MELKSHAM could be the first town in the UK to become home to ground-breaking new eco-toilets.
The eco-modular toilet pods use new technology that requires no electricity or water, instead breaking down waste in a vault using worms, making them environmentally friendly and sustainable. In what has been described as a ‘ground-breaking step’ Melksham town councillors have agreed to purchase two eco-toilets that will be installed in King George V playing field, hopefully by mid-May.
According to Melksham Town Council and manufacturers Healthmatic, the eco-toilets, which can be found in France, have yet to be installed anywhere in the UK.
“The town council is thrilled to make this great addition to King George V park,” said the town council’s clerk, Linda Roberts. “The eco-loos, the first of their type to be installed anywhere in the UK, underpin the town council’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, and will provide a much-needed facility for park users.”
The two units cost an estimated £15,000 each and will be funded from the £50,000 allocated for the project to reopen the Bath Road public toilets block – the cost of reopening the Bath Road toilets has cost the council less than anticipated, at £5,000, leaving more money to go towards other King George V toilet solutions.
The eco-toilets proposal was met with much enthusiasm from town councillors at last month’s asset management and amenities committee meeting.
“Let’s be the first,” said cllr Gary Cooke, “because they look great!”
Explaining how the toilets work in a report to councillors, the town council’s head of operations, Hugh Davies said, “The ‘conveyor’ belt delivers waste into a ‘vault’, which is fitted with an extractor fan, pulling air out of the module. Solid waste can be composted on site, with the vault’s bottom being open to the earth, thereby encouraging vermicomposting (decomposition using various species of worms). There is a process to encourage the best conditions for this process to thrive.
“The small vault at the back of the module will need to be emptied every 10 to 20 years, when much of the waste will be dry, free of pathogens and smell-free.”
According to the manufacturer, Healthmatic, the waste can be spread in flowerbeds or gardens.
Healthmatic is now working on drawings/ quotes and options for the town council. These will be accompanied by a report and brought back to councillors for further discussion.
