When considering bathroom germs, most people don’t think about the toilet flush.
And in general, that mental framework makes sense. By flushing the toilet, you’re removing waste. Out of sight, out of mind, and appearing to be very hygienic—but that flush conceals a secret danger.
See, the toilet relies on the rapid introduction of additional water to create and complete the flushing action which removes the waste from the bowl. Unfortunately, this process creates turbulence, resulting in splash and what’s commonly called “toilet plume”—a nasty collection of aerosolized bacteria and virus particles resident in the toilet bowl, as well as droplets which land and collect on the seat, lid, and surrounding areas. This aerosolized plume can be carried and spread into adjacent rooms—even throughout the whole building—by normal air current and flow.
The toilet plume and droplets have also been referred to as “fecal aerosolization,” which recent scientific studies have shown contributes to the spread of germs and contamination throughout the bathroom, in turn spreading infectious material and illness through a facility.
Read More: Research Reveals the Speed & Trajectory of Toilet Plumes
The problem is even worse with flushometer toilets, which use water pressures in the toilet to provide a forceful assist in evacuating the toilet bowl. A 2013 study found that high-energy flushometer toilets produce more than 12 times as many droplets as a comparable tank flush toilet, despite using similar amounts of water for the flush!
All of this adds up to a lot of germs spreading invisibly throughout the environment, which is even more problematic in healthcare facilities, businesses, or other public locations where toilets do not usually have lids.
So, is there a sanitary alternative? Especially for lidless toilets? There is!
The Sanitary Solution: Vacuum Toilet Systems
In contrast to the flushing action of tank and flushometer style toilets, vacuum toilets virtually eliminate toilet plume and droplets, thereby eliminating pathogenic germ transmission. This striking video uses a blacklight and special liquid in order to show the aerosolized plume in action.
Spoiler alert: there’s a dramatic difference between a gravity-flush toilet and a vacuum-flush toilet.
Why Are Vacuum Toilets More Sanitary?
A vacuum toilet is flushed into a piping network that is maintained under constant vacuum, or negative pressure. During the flush cycle a valve at the toilet outlet is opened which draws air in through the bowl. The incoming air assists in evacuating the water and waste from the toilet bowl and into the waste piping and moving it to the sanitary sewer system.
By allowing incoming air to draw waste water into the piping system, rather than relying on incoming water to push the waste out of the bowl, toilet plume is eliminated.
This has enormous impact for healthcare facilities, where infection prevention is vital, but in today’s world where studies have suggested viruses such as COVID-19, Ebola and SARS can be found in feces, infection prevention through a more sanitary flush is even more important everywhere, from your community’s schools and supermarkets to the local coffee shop.
Beyond the Flush: Additional Benefits of Vacuum Toilet Systems
Ultimately, waste systems that rely solely on gravity for the transport of waste can be thought of as a “super-highway” for germ movement throughout a building: all fixtures drain into a common, connected piping network that is routed through the structure and directly connected to the sewer, but is open to atmospheric pressure at fixture drains and vent stacks.
Not only do these systems allow for sewage backup through fixture drains, but other recent studies suggest that air from within the piping is sometimes displaced through the drains and traps, making the entire system fundamentally less sanitary than a vacuum system. But beyond the health and sanitary considerations, vacuum plumbing offers a number of additional benefits.
Unique Advantages of a Vacuum Toilet System
- No trenching required. A traditional gravity system needs a continuous slope toward the sanitary sewer, but vacuum doesn’t! The piping network can be routed overhead, which saves time and lowers costs by eliminating any floor or slab cutting.
- Virtually uncloggable. Sanitary products, wipes, and other solids that can easily block a gravity system are propelled through the pipes by the incoming flow of air.
- No messy leakages! Because the piping network is maintained under a continuous vacuum, any breach results in air being drawn in rather than waste leaking out.
- Low environmental impact. With less than a half-gallon of water required per flush, vacuum toilet systems qualify for LEED points in addition to providing significant cost savings. For a building with approximately 75 toilet fixtures, the calculated water and sewer savings amount to over 1 million gallons annually.
- Renovation without disruption. There’s no need to route waste lines under the floor or foundation when installing a vacuum toilet system, so the work can be done without disturbing those working in the space below.
If you currently “fear the flush,” don’t worry—AcornVac is here to help. We’ll walk you through the process, from the preliminary planning and evaluation phase all the way to installation and commissioning. We even offer post-installation training and service, as well as 24/7 factory-direct service and support.
Reach out to us today, and we’ll get you started on the path to a more sanitary and efficient plumbing system!