Parks in New Zealand’s Christchurch region will see a new solar-powered toilet scheme, to be rolled out in the next six months. The sun-powered toilet block in South New Brighton Park is just one many similar installations aimed at providing better public facilities for locals.
The Christchurch City Council has approved 8 state of the art solar-powered toilet blocks, which will cost approximately $1 million. The brightly coloured “Exeloos” are intentionally eye catching in an attempt to raise awareness of local councils’ renewable energy efforts.
The Exeloo Project follows the lead of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to bring sustainable sanitation solutions to the 2.5 billion people worldwide who don’t have access to safe, affordable sanitation. The manufacturer behind this solar-powered toilet project are innovators in the field, already known to deliver technology solutions ranging from simple manual and automated technology to eco-composting, specialized components, and custom-made solutions.
Renewable Solutions for Disaster Affected Christchurch
Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, as New Zealand’s largest city the damage was extensive. Many public facilities in the area were badly damaged, particularly in Bexley Park, South New Brighton, Cashmere Park, Avon Park, and countless others. The project aims to replace all toilet blocks damaged by installing new solar-powered systems.
Exeloo toilets are renowned for products of outstanding strength, durability and hygiene levels. Additionally the toilets installed in the New Zealand parks have been customized to integrate up to date solar power technology with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint in the lush surrounding environment.
“The underlying costs were almost the same as that of construction conventional toilet blocks. Toilets that are powered by the solar photovoltaic systems has grown in popularity over the years and it is only fitting for Christchurch to finally let go of old uninhabited structures like the earthquake ravaged ones in the area,” said council parks unit manager, Andrew Rutledge.
Colourful Toilets a Controversy in Local Community
The solar panels installed on the toilet blocks’ rooftops will provide the revolutionary energy technology which will power the facility. Alongside the positive buzz, however, the Chairman of the Housing and Economic Development committee has voiced concerns around the bright colour schemes of the installations. This is one bump in the road slowing the council’s implementation of the blocks in more parks in the region.
