Hennigs, JanRavndal, Kristin T.Blose, ThubelihleToolaram, AnjuSindall, Rebecca C.Barrington, Dani J.Collins, MattEngineer, BhavinKolios, Athanasios J.McAdam, EwanParker, AlisonWilliams, LeonTyrrel, Sean2019-04-182019-04-182019-02-17Hennigs J, Ravndal KT, Blose T, et al., (2019) Field testing of a prototype mechanical dry toilet flush. Science of the Total Environment, Volume 668, June 2019, PP. 419-4310048-9697https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.220http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/14101A prototype of a non-fluid based mechanical toilet flush was tested in a semi-public, institutional setting and in selected peri-urban households in eThekwini municipality, Republic of South Africa. The mechanism's functionality and users' perception of the flush were assessed. User perception varied depending on background: Users accustomed to porcelain water flush toilets were open to, yet reserved about the idea of using a waterless flush in their homes. Those who commonly use Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilets were far more receptive. The user-centred field trials were complemented by a controlled laboratory experiment, using synthetic urine, -faeces, and -menstrual blood, to systematically assess the efficiency of three swipe materials to clean the rotating bowl of the flush. A silicone rubber with oil-bleed-effect was found to be the best performing material for the swipe. Lubrication of the bowl prior to use further reduced fouling. A mechanical waterless flush that does not require consumables, like plastic wrappers, is a novelty and could – implemented in existing dry toilet systems – improve acceptance and thus the success of waterless sanitation.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/WASHReinvent the toilet challengeIterative designUser testingScience-design InterfaceArticle23368128