What type of toilet systems are included under the category of privies?

Privies refer to types of toilet systems that do not require a direct connection to a sewage system and instead manage waste in a more simplified manner. Composting toilets and chemical toilets fit into this category because they process human waste without relying on water flushing, making them suitable for locations where conventional sewage systems might not be feasible.

Composting toilets treat waste by using aerobic decomposition, where bacteria break down the material into compost over time. Chemical toilets, on the other hand, use chemicals to break down waste and often store it in a holding tank, which can then be emptied periodically. These systems are often utilized in remote areas, temporary installations, or where environmental conditions do not permit traditional plumbing.

In contrast, standard flush toilets operate with a water supply and sanitation connection, while septic systems involve underground tanks and drainage fields for waste management. Incinerator toilets burn waste instead of processing it biologically or chemically. These distinctions clarify why the answer involving composting and chemical toilets is accurate in the context of privies.