We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Vacuum Toilets?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 54,718
Share

Vacuum toilets are toilets which employ a vacuum for flushing, rather than gravity alone. There are a number of different types of vacuum toilets, ranging from toilets connected to vacuum sewer systems to toilets with a vacuum assist, which creates pressure to help flush the contents of a toilet with minimal water usage. Anyone who has flown on a plane is probably familiar with the vacuum toilet, and these toilets also appear on boats and in personal homes.

The way in which a vacuum toilet works is pretty simple. The toilet is hooked into a vacuum sewer system, which may consist of a single sewage tank or a series of sewer lines. When someone uses the toilet and flushes it, the flushing action opens a valve in the toilet, and the vacuum sucks the contents of the toilet out for treatment.

Because the vacuum involved is extremely powerful, a vacuum toilet requires little to no water. Some use sanitizing liquids instead of water to keep the toilet relatively clean. Vacuum toilets are often very low-odor, and they are much more efficient with water that regular toilets, as you might imagine. For this reason, some people like to install vacuum toilets in their homes, to increase their water efficiency.

Incidentally, according to the urban legends researchers at the Straight Dope, it is not advisable to flush vacuum toilets while sitting on the seat. Although injuries are rare, there is a potential for organ prolapse and severe damage to the intestines caused by the power of the vacuum literally sucking part of the intestines out. This risk is increased for people with more ample bottoms. Fortunately, such instances are extremely unusual, but in the opinion of this wiseGEEK writer, it is better to be safe than sorry.

A related concept is the pressure toilet, which pressurizes water for flushing, thereby also greatly reducing the amount of water needed to flush the toilet. Pressure assist toilets can be hooked up to regular sewer systems, and they are often used in homes and businesses. Numerous companies make pressure assist modules which can be installed in conventional toilets to increase their efficiency.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon302238 — On Nov 08, 2012

Depends on the brand of toilet. Evac, the inventor of this technology in the 70's, has secured that flushing is safe. There is a hole up in the back of toilet from where air can freely flow. There are then other brands, like Jets, that do not have this safety hole.

By anon116110 — On Oct 05, 2010

The "Mythbusters" first program (pilot) debunked the old urban legend that suggested that someone may get stuck to a vacuum toilet. They decided that the person would have to be so huge to close the gaps below the seat that they would not be able to fit into a house or plane.

vacuum toilets are safe and use less than one liter of water, far less than the six litres used in most countries or 18 litres used in american toilets -they are the way of the future.

By osmosis — On Apr 19, 2008

I would be concerned about flushing a vacuum toilet while I was on it. Maybe it is safe, but I sure don't want to be the one to find out the hard way. I've heard all sorts of horror stories, which may be urban legends, but again, better safe than sorry!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-are-vacuum-toilets.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.