PROJECTS

"Energy, Water and Waste Management Inventory of Backcountry Facilities: A Pilot-Study" by School of Renewable Resources, Selkirk College

This study was commissioned by BEES. It provides a list of 178 recreational facilities in the mountainous regions of British Columbia and Alberta with general information about each including location, size, seasonal use, and contact information. In addition, it includes a pilot study, in which a questionnaire obtained more detailed information from 23 facilities (anonymous) about their energy, water and waste management practices. There was also a literature review that identified applicable technologies used in similar environments around the world. The goals of the project were to:

  • Develop and pilot a process for obtaining information about off-grid technologies employed by operators of mountain facilities in British Columbia and Alberta
  • Report on the results of the pilot study from the perspectives of both the process used to collect information, and the information obtained

Information from the study was used to identify technologies that were performing well, and identify technologies requiring further research.

Some results from this study:

  • There is a high level of interest from facility operators to improve their energy, water and waste management systems
  • Some technologies are not working as well as the manufacturer had claimed and are only working now due to extensive modifications or expensive maintenance input
  • More research is required on grey water disposal options, composting toilets, and architectural technologies to minimize energy needs

Download Final Report

Human Waste Research

Human Waste Research Managing human waste in alpine environments is complex and challenging. Further research is needed to identify functional, environmentally appropriate and economically viable solutions.

BEES is helping to fund research by the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia. The primary researcher, Geoff Hill (PhD candidate), is carrying out research on human waste management systems located off-grid and at elevation including: urine diversion, urine treatment, dehydration, incineration, and composting. Research started in the lab this past winter and is scheduled to progress into field experiments this summer (2010), continuing with additional field experiments next summer (2011). Field work will take place in several locations in the Canadian Rockies including the Conrad Kain hut in Bugaboo Provincial Park, Elbow Lake Campground in Kananaskis Country, and Little Yoho campground in Yoho National Park. Field research will also take place at Mount Shasta (California) and Mount Rainier (Washington). Assessment criteria will include mass reduction, microbial activity, toxicity reduction, capital and operating costs, and ecological impacts. Research will include the development of a simple testing device for assessment of compost stability and maturity to provide waste management personnel information about compost safety for handling and disposal.

Preliminary test results:

  • A remote site's surrounding environment, climate, and maintenance commitment provide the most information in the decision for either solar dehydration or compost toilet waste management.
  • Urine diversion, much more popular in the UK, significantly reduces the energy required to dehydrate human waste bringing sizeable reductions in helicopter mass transport and great CO2 equivalent savings.
  • There is sizeable uncertainty surrounding the factors that control the stability and maturity of compost toilet end product. In addition, alpine toilet operators currently don't posses reliable or practical assessment tools necessary for informed decision making as to the handling and disposal of toilet compost. However, lab results regarding the application of a simple field-test device that can aid in the assessment of toilet compost maturity and stability is encouraging. This device will be developed and evaluated over the summer (2010) sampling period. Additional results will be posted as information becomes available.