WATERLESS SANITATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS​
Q: Built to last! What’s the lifespan of a Zero H20 toilet?
A: Exceptionally long! Crafted from ultra-durable HDPE plastic and featuring brilliantly simple technology, the Zerho is designed for generations of use. With proper care, we expect each unit to provide safe, reliable sanitation for 40 years or more.
​
Q: How often does it need to be emptied?
A: It’s incredibly easy. We recommend simply checking the basket every two weeks and emptying it when it's about half-full. This quick, simple routine keeps everything functioning perfectly.
Q: Does it handle urine and solid waste separately?
A: Absolutely, and this is where the Zerho truly shines as a resource-generating system! The urine can be conveniently piped away to nourish a garden or fruit trees. Alternatively, community cooperatives can collect both the valuable, nutrient-rich urine and the dried compost for agricultural use. This transforms waste into wealth, creating exciting opportunities for local small businesses.
Q: Can the Zerho be manufactured locally to support our economy?
A: Yes! We are passionate about local empowerment. We actively pursue licensing partnerships to manufacture Zerho toilets within the regions they serve, creating jobs and fostering sustainable local economies.
Q: What’s the timeline from order to a functioning toilet?
A: We’re built for impact. A confirmed order locks in your supply, with a current production capacity of 200 units per month. Once on site, a trained team of two can easily install two or more units per day. The moment the unit is level and stable, it’s ready to change lives—no complex commissioning needed.
Q: Is the price inclusive of the superstructure (walling/enclosure)?
A: To ensure maximum flexibility and affordability, the Zerho unit is sold separately from the superstructure. This allows families and communities to use any building materials they prefer—from traditional local materials to modern panels—and to incorporate the toilet into existing structures. The key rule is simple: the structure must not put pressure on the unit's dome.
Q: Are clear instructions provided for maintenance?
A: Yes. We provide straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions to ensure every user can maintain their Zerho toilet with confidence.
Q: Is it only available in one size?
A: Currently, the Zerho comes in one universal size that comfortably accommodates all users.
Q: How long does a full installation take?
A: For an owner, it can be a matter of a few hours! This remarkable speed, combined with its independence from water and sewers, makes the Zerho the ideal sanitation solution for disaster relief and emergency response.
Q: How do communities feel about recycling human waste?
A: We've seen incredible receptivity! Once communities understand that the Zerho safely transforms waste into a valuable resource for soil restoration and food security, previous hesitations quickly turn into enthusiasm. The undeniable benefits of having a safe, private, and odour-free toilet at home powerfully outweigh old beliefs. We have seen this transformative acceptance firsthand in communities across Africa.
Q: In one sentence, what is the Zerho?
A: It’s a safe, waterless containment system that protects families from disease by isolating and drying waste, turning a public health risk into a community resource.
Q: What does installation involve?
A: Ultimate simplicity. The core requirement is to place the unit on a level surface and ensure the superstructure is built independently around it. Beyond that, you have total freedom to design the enclosure as you wish.
Q: Who manufactures the Zerho Toilet?
A: It is manufactured with pride by Zerho Waste Management (Pty) Ltd, a South African company registered since 2003.
Q: What are the unit’s dimensions and weight?
A: The unit is compact and manageable, measuring 160cm in diameter x 90cm high and weighing approximately 80kg.
Q: How much total space is needed for a full installation?
A: A comfortable and spacious enclosure typically fits within a 3m x 3m area, though this can be adjusted based on your design.
Q: How does it work without water?
A: Through brilliant, passive design! The Zerho uses natural airflow and solar heat to rapidly dry solid waste within a sealed chamber, eliminating odours and the need for any water whatsoever. It’s simplicity powered by nature.
Q: Is it suitable for humid, tropical climates?
A: Yes. Its design is optimized to handle high temperatures and humidity effectively, ensuring reliable performance and odour control in diverse environmental conditions.
Q: How is hygiene maintained, and disease prevented?
A: The sealed system eliminates contact with waste, while the rapid drying process significantly reduces pathogens. This creates a inherently hygienic solution that breaks the cycle of fecal-borne diseases.
Q: What are the installation requirements?
A: Just a level spot and a vent pipe for optimal airflow. It requires no deep pits, no water lines, and no connection to a sewer—it’s truly plug-and-play sanitation.
Q: What kind of maintenance is required?
A: Maintenance is minimal and low-cost. It primarily involves the periodic emptying of the dried, odourless waste basket and a simple check of the ventilation.
Q: Is it easy to repair?
A: Absolutely. Designed with simplicity at its core, the Zerho can be repaired with basic tools. We ensure spare parts are available and that local technicians can be easily trained to provide support.
Q: What is the cost compared to a traditional toilet?
A: The Zerho is overwhelmingly more cost-effective. When you factor in the massive savings from eliminating plumbing, water bills, and sewer infrastructure, the Zerho provides a superior return on investment, especially in water-scarce regions.
Q: What are the ongoing costs?
A: Virtually zero. There are no water bills and no energy costs. The only ongoing "cost" is the few minutes every couple of weeks to manage the valuable end-product.
Q: How is it perceived by communities that use it?
A: Feedback has been tremendously positive. Communities value the privacy, safety, and dignity it provides. The initial curiosity about a waterless system quickly turns into appreciation for its simplicity and the powerful benefits it brings.
Q: Can it be customized?
A: Yes! While the core unit is standard, the surrounding superstructure can be fully customized to meet local cultural preferences and aesthetic tastes, ensuring it feels like a welcome part of any home.
Q: What is its environmental impact?
A: Profoundly positive. The Zerho conserves precious water, prevents groundwater pollution, and reduces carbon emissions. It completes the loop by turning waste into a resource for enriching soil, supporting a truly circular economy.
Q: Can it be scaled for large communities or public spaces?
A: Without a doubt. The Zerho’s modular nature makes it perfect for scaling from single-family homes to large community sanitation blocks, schools, clinics, and public facilities.
Q: Is it suitable for both urban and rural settings?
A: Yes. It is the versatile solution for everywhere: from dense urban neighbourhoods with poor infrastructure to remote rural villages, proving that effective sanitation doesn’t require a pipe in the ground.
Q: What kind of warranty and support do you offer?
A: Zerho stands behind its product with a strong warranty and is building a network of local distributors and service centres to ensure prompt and reliable after-sales support and access to spare parts.