Now, I'm sure I'll have to check with the building code where I'm building ... but, is there any reason why I can't build my own toilet?  I really like the design of a prison toilet and was thinking of making one out of something other than stainless steel.  I was also wondering about ways to get the sewage out without using PVC pipes (like most houses).  What about clay pipe?  I was thinking of building a room in the garage under the toilet that would house a ceramic composter that would be turned by a windmill, that the "crap" could just fall into.  I know that I gotta put some kind of bend in the drain to keep the stink down below.  Any thoughts/concerns/ideas ???

The simplest solution would be a traditional privy. 

There seem to be two "must have" requirements for waste-water pipes:  the pipe must take all of the waste-water out of the house (no leaking), and it must do that reliably for decades despite abuse such as snaking.  I cannot see clay doing that; PVC does.

Is cast iron pipe still used and do plumbers still have experience with installing it?

I hope you're building out in the country with no need to *ever* sell the house.

Good luck,
Larry

Vitrified clay pipe with gaskets has been used for sanitary sewers for many, many, many years and is still a standard product.  The Chicago suburb I lived in until '96 REQUIRED cast iron pipe with leaded joints at that time for sanitary drain piping at that time.  I do not know if they have changed.  Threaded steel pipe was permitted for vents and small (2") drains.  Remodeling was expensive!

Bruce

Well, my idea keeps the sewage out of the city sewage main, really when you flush it just drops into a room under the toilet into a composter that turns via windmill. To me, I liken it to using a composting toilet like an "Envirolet" except for doing it manually. This isn't so much a question of pipes as it is the toilet with a manual composter below. That's the part I'm most concerned about.

Ck with the building inspector in your area!

Many northern metropolitain areas still require cast iron because of pressure from unions not to change the code

That's just not right!! I hope they 'never' form unions down here!!!!

There are a variety of composting toilet designs in use all over the world. You'd no doubt need a special permit. Where's all the grey water going? Are you wanting to collect this compost for some special purpose? If not, a septic system is exactly what you are describing - it just happens outside the house and utilizes the grey water too.

I thought that 'grey water' only came from sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. Not Toilets!

I would probably use the compost in a garden ... and yes greywater comes from sinks not toilets. That's blackwater.

I've got a "prison" toliet in my outside privey. Works real good of course the Ladies don't like it as the seat is built in and gets cold . Mines outside mostly used as a shop privey,
They are called 3 in 1's toliet, sink, drinking fountain

As you pointed out most homes generate a lot of grey water so I'm not sure why you didn't understand that I was asking what he was doing with his.

Because of this statement:

I guess because it was so closely linked to the original question, like it was related.