4Pillars4Health EcoSpace llc

Monona ZBA Approves Composting Toilet

2008-12-09T14:49:00.002-06:00

posted by monona alderman Doug wood on mononadoug.blogspot.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2008

Monona ZBA Approves Composting Toilet

Labels: Dane County, Environment, Monona

You may have heard about Monona resident Dianne` Aldrich's efforts to get approval for a composting toilet. The Monona Zoning Board of Appeals approved the use of a composting toilet at its meeting last night.

The Cap Times ran a pretty good story: RETHINKING THE COMMODE

I'm told that NBC's story was somewhat juvenile on-air:
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/35515204.html

Here is a detailed explanation of the decision from ZBA Chair Chad Speight:

The Monona Zoning Board of Appeals ruled tonight, 3-1, to overturn the interpretation of the building inspector, hereby asserting the right of Monona residents to install composting toilets, in compliance with the Monona Plumbing Code and the Wisconsin Sanitation Codes. Composting toilets are allowed and regulated in WI Chapter Comm. 91, Sanitation. “This chapter establishes minimum standards and criteria for the design, installation, and maintenance of sanitation systems and devices which are alternatives to water-carried waste plumbing fixtures and drain systems so that these sanitation systems are safe and will safeguard public health and the waters of the state.” While the state code clearly allows and regulates composting toilets, the city also has the right to impose more restrictive codes. The particular issue before the ZBA tonight was to determine if the Monona Plumbing Code prohibits the installation and use of a composting toilet.

Previously, the building inspector had denied an application for installation of a composting toilet, citing Section 15-1-109(d) of the Monona Plumbing Code, which prohibits use of any “outdoor toilet…,cesspool, septic tank, or other contrivance located thereon for collecting and disposing of sewage” The applicant, who was appealing this decision, argued that the composting toilet does not dispose of sewage, but that it “converts by bacterial digestion non-liquid-carried human wastes or organic kitchen wastes, or both, into humus” (Wis Comm. 91.03 (2)). More importantly, and persuasive to the ZBA, the applicant argued that the Monona Plumbing Code does not apply to the composting toilet, since the entire definitions section of the plumbing code ((Sec 15-1-100) talks about the water supply and drainage systems; and the composting toilet is connected to neither system, by design. Thus, the prohibitions in the Monona Plumbing Code were intended to prohibit water-carried waste systems which did not connect to the municipal sewer.

As the chairperson, I explained that I had come to the meeting prepared to uphold the inspector’s decision, and to deny the appeal, because I had agreed that the Monona Plumbing Code seemed to prohibit any “contrivance” that was not connected to the municipal sewage system. Everyone on the board agreed that the Monona Code reflected sentiment from an earlier era when septic systems and outhouses were being replaced by our modern plumbing system. There was no obvious intent in Section 15-1-109 to outlaw composting toilets; but it seemed that the ordinance would need to be changed or updated. However, we also understood that Wisconsin State Codes are always applicable, unless specifically enhanced or restricted by local ordinances. Once the applicant showed that the local plumbing code is focused entirely on water-carried waste systems, then the composting toilet could not be reasonably included or excluded in a section dedicated to regulating water-carried waste. So the applicant will be allowed to install the composting toilet, which is regulated under state code, and will also be monitored by Dane County after proper permits are applied for.

The Monona Council is still free to impose more restrictive codes on composting toilets, or to clarify the matter in the local plumbing code. I had planned to propose adoption of an ordinance which allows composting toilets, consistent with the standards that have been established by the State of Wisconsin. I will still do this, in part because composting toilets are a great example of the change we need. The recent flooding in Monona caused sewage back-ups into basements, and thousands of gallons of raw sewage were dumped into Lake Monona. If many people used composting toilets regularly, then discharges of raw sewage into Lake Monona would never happen. We all benefit by reducing waste, conserving fresh water, and improving our lake water quality. And just like the sewage system, which has enormous costs and negative consequences, the garbage and yard wastes that we put out to the curb create enormous costs to the taxpayer, with other negative consequences that get passed on to future generations. Reducing wastes, and finding ways to safely turn waste into fertilizer at the source, are important goals that help to make our community more sustainable.

Alderman Chad Speight
ZBA Chairperson

posted by Monona Alderman Doug Wood on MononaDoug.blogspot.com

Monona Zoning Board of Appeals/Composting Toilet Hearing

2008-12-09T13:19:00.003-06:00

excerpt from e-mail by Heather Gates to The Natural Step Monona listserve...

To report, Dianné did an amazing job of presenting her case for her composting toilet to the zoning board last night. (A request to appeal, per Section 15-1-152, by Dianné Aldrich, 6020 Kristi Circle, the decision by the Building Inspector to deny the permit application per Section 15-1-109(d) to install a composting toilet in the office studio on her property.)

Dianné went through the ordinance, defining basic terms, to show that her intended system was not covered by Monona’s own specific ordinances and was, therefore, covered by the state code:

Sec. 15-1-101 Adoption of the State Plumbing Code.

The provisions and regulations of the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code, Chapters ILHR 81, ILHR 82 and ILHR 83, Wis. Adm. Code, are hereby made a part of this Chapter by reference as though set forth herein, and together with such additional regulations as may be adopted by the Council, shall extend over and govern the installation of all plumbing installed, altered, or repaired in the City.

The state code allows composting toilets. Although two of the three board members (out of four) who voted in favor of Dianné’s interpretation came into the meeting quite skeptical about the merits of her case, she won them over with her critical thinking skills and clear presentation.

Thank you, Dianné, for taking a tough step down a rocky path. You’ve cleared some stones so the rest of us in doing so, and we will travel easier because of you!

Heather

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. - Anonymous

Wisconsin Sustainability in Business Conference

2008-12-08T09:34:00.002-06:00

For any of you checking out this blog due to the Conference, Welcome!!! :)

Hope you're having as exciting of a day as I am.

A few thoughts...

*this blog is still in its infancy stage.

*I'm in the process of working with the City of Monona on installing a Sun-Mar Composting toilet into my EcoStudio. The State of Wisconsin and the County of Dane both have regulation supporting such. Individual municipalities are often latent in re-writing code to catch up with the technology of the times. As I progress in this effort my vision is to aid others in similar situations so that Corporate and Residential Wisconsin alike will embrace the idea of composting waste and supporting the effort of Water & Sustainability.

*Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you're interested in purchasing a composting toilet for your business, home, cottage, boat or poolside cabana! :)

The Natural Step Monona 'Sustainable Future' Event

2008-09-17T13:42:00.010-05:00

An e-mail message received from Heather Gates of The Natural Step Monona:

Steppers extraordinaire!

Thank you for all your work in making last night's Sustainable Future event a success. Planning, baking, toting, greeting, staffing, cleaning, folding, donating, hauling, packing, photographing... you are amazing!

I am so proud of all the Steppers that showed up, giving us a good turnout! We had seven people sign up for study circles, so that part of the event's mission was successful.

Dianné Aldrich, a summer study circle graduate, won the Stepper door prize. Since she was the largest contributor to it with a $150 gift certificate to her 4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio (Pilates & body work), she won herself back. Fitting!

Thank you, so much. Woof!

Heather

P.S. I, Dianné Aldrich, highly recommend this study circle for anyone who cares about their impact on their own body, the bodies of those around them and on the body of mother earth and all her inhabitants. Great people, great fun, great inspiration, great learning experience.

4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio

2008-09-17T13:42:00.006-05:00

Four Pillars Pilates & Bodywork is excited to announce that green builders The Blue Heron Group will "break ground" on a new, fully equipped, Pilates-Eco-Studio in October. With the help of architect extraordinaire, Linda B. Page, a beautiful FSC cedar wood yurt will arrive soon. The 4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio will be a special place to continue or begin your journey toward integrated health. Nestled in the beautiful backyard woodland gardens of Dianné's home in Monona this studio, and the meditation gardens surrounding it, will become a place you go for retreat and rejuvenation. Four Pillars Pilates & Bodywork...exercise for the Mind, Body, Spirit, Self.

Luigi Style Jazz Dance

2008-09-17T13:42:00.002-05:00

Train your body utilizing the elegant, sculpting LUIGI JAZZ DANCE TECHNIQUE. This class is an infusion of fun, friendships, intellectual energy, technique and the styling and musicality of Classic American Jazz Dance. Join New York City Professional Dancer and Master Teacher Dianné Aldrich for an unforgettable energy make-over!

Yoga of the Runes

2008-06-28T00:36:00.003-05:00

Exercise for the Mind, Body, Spirit, Self. Runic Yoga is a set of moving postures which include strength and flexibility exercise, breath work, low impact cardio, mantra and meditation and these moving postures are formidable in the balancing of the body, mind and spirit. Runic Yoga is an integrated practice in order to achieve power, flexibility, relaxation, core strength and connection with the beauty of the world around you. It is possible to raise your consciousness utilizing this form of physical fitness.

MoonLodge/SweatLodge

2008-06-28T00:22:00.003-05:00

The Moon Lodge. Women actively on their Moontime, in their menses, are honored among traditional Lakota ceremony within the Moon Lodge. It is a traditional practice when a woman is on her Moontime to retire into The Moon Lodge. The Moon Lodge is a place of retreat, of relaxation and of nurturing. At this time, a Mooning woman does not work or labor in any way. Her meals are brought to her and sisters keep her company. Traditionally, this time was used to vision, craft and enjoy the company of other women. It is said that at this time, she is very intuitive and receptive to receive vision and answers as the veil between this third dimension and the higher dimensions is very fine. It is good to understand that during Moontime, a woman's energy reverses and moves in a downward spiral as she becomes a conduit for the flow of energy from the Grandmother Moon into the Mother Earth. Our physical body is a beautiful representation of this flow of energy as our blood flows downward from the uterus toward the earth. A woman becomes extremely powerful during this time of her Mooning as her body, mind and spirit are in a natural state of purification.

The Inipi Ceremony. The Inipi or "sweat lodge" Ceremony is a place we gather to pray and to purify our bodies, minds, emotions and spirits. It is the place where we re-enter Mother's womb to be re-born and begin anew. It is a place of humility, support, respect, generosity, healing, letting go, growth, beauty and love. The lodge itself is dark and hot asking us to surrender ourselves into the keeping of our courage, our sisters, the ancestors, our intent and the forces of the Light. The energy of the Inipi Ceremony and the Cannupa, sacred pipe, Ceremony flow upwards. Our prayers in the form of smoke and steam move skyward carried on the back of Wanbli Gleska, our Eagle Brother, to Great Spirit.

Welcome!

2008-06-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 4Pillars4Health.

The Four Pillars have been labeled in many ways through time:

Philosophy/Mystery/Art/Science

Mind/Body/Spirit/Self

Earth/Water/Fire/Air

Child/Maiden/Mother/Crone

West/North/East/South

My intention is to help guide those who are committed to healing themselves, who are ready to do the work and are interested in walking in Beauty.

Aho.