A new plumbing free toilet developed by Sedron with money from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is set to be trialled in Durban next year.

The toilet works in that once it is flushed, waste from the toilet is heated, evaporating the water and killing pathogens. The dried solids are then burned to create steam to generate electricity for the household and to power the toilet. The excess heat is used to dry incoming waste, while excess water is used to flush the toilet.

According to the Gates’ website the toilet has the ability to save lives through preventing diseases from contaminated water sources.

The very first pilot versions of these toilets are set to go live

The technology has been branded the “Firelight Toilet” because the fire that heats up waste is visible when the toilet is operating, project lead Margaret Faller said.

The toilet is intended to initially serve the developing world with the possibility of being offered domestically down the road.

Faller said Sedron Technologies aims for the toilet to cost 5 cents per user per day over the life of the unit. The company has not determined a fixed, upfront cost for the toilet.