Anyone who has lived in rural areas is probably still haunted by the memory of traditional dry toilets: they’re not only smelly but also swarming with flies. What’s worse, they can spread diseases. That’s why upgrading rural dry toilets is a project that can bring greater well-being to everyone living in the countryside. So what exactly are the specific measures for upgrading these toilets?

　　I. Practices in the Renovation of Rural Dry Toilets

　　This project is usually not very difficult. If you have strong, capable workers at home, you can even handle it without hiring outside help. These days, the more common approach is to relocate the existing septic tank to the lowest point and convert the old dry toilet into a flush toilet. Why does this eliminate odors? Because a septic tank is used. And why doesn’t a septic tank produce odors? Because it performs fermentation, which significantly reduces or eliminates the generation of unpleasant smells.

　　II. Principles of Rural Dry Toilet Renovation

　　Waste first enters the first chamber, where solids are retained and the initial fermentation takes place. The wastewater treated in the first chamber then flows into the second chamber, where fermentation continues. By the time the wastewater reaches the second chamber, most of the worms have already died. This type of three-chamber septic tank can usually be built by the homeowner, and the sizes of the three chambers can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of the household. Given that fermentation requires sufficient time, the septic tank should have a capacity that accommodates at least three months’ worth of wastewater. If you prefer not to build your own septic tank, you can also purchase prefabricated models made from various materials on the market.

　　Farmers can choose different sizes based on their household needs, and once purchased, the septic tank is easy to bury directly in the ground. At the same time, it’s important to consider that a septic tank should be used in conjunction with a flush toilet, so water supply must also be taken into account. If your village is already connected to the municipal water supply, simply connect to it; if not, you’ll need to install your own water supply system. Overall, though, this setup is very convenient.

　　III. Considerations for Renovating Rural Dry Toilets

　　After rural dry toilets are renovated, they are generally left open to the elements. In northern rural areas, certain facilities must be designed to retain heat to prevent water pipes from freezing and cracking. In addition, septic tank cleaning is more common; the contents are either discharged into the sewer system or removed using a fecal extraction machine.

　　IV. What are the causes of water leakage in the water tank during dry toilet renovation?

　　1. First, open the toilet tank and use the dipper to repeatedly lift and lower the lever to check the sensitivity of the flush mechanism. If the lever does not move smoothly or is difficult to operate, it indicates a malfunction in the mechanism and the lever needs to be replaced. Be sure to position the lever slightly downward—do not press it too far down.

　　2. You can also disconnect the small inlet pipe connected to the toilet tank’s fill valve, turn the flush mechanism counterclockwise to remove the upper section, and then detach the lower section. Inspect both the upper and lower parts of the flush mechanism for any issues and repair them promptly.

　　3. If you find that the water tank is leaking due to rust on the sealing foot pads, which compromises the seal, you can resolve the issue by cleaning the rust off the pads and then reinstalling them.

　　4. If the rubber ball valve is damaged, the seal is inadequate, and there is leakage, simply replace the valve. Also inspect the connections of the external stainless steel flexible hose on the water tank and the tank’s connection points to determine whether they are loose or whether aging of the internal rubber gasket is causing the leak.

　　5. If the internal components are functioning properly, you should also inspect the toilet tank for cracks caused by impact. External forces can also lead to tank leaks, in which case the external components will require repair.