The acceptance of the innovative sanitation system and the utilisation of human urine is investigated within the SANIRSCH-project. In conjunction with the agricultural production / legal situation component farmers are asked if they would be willing to fertilise their agricultural crops with human urine. In a second study consumers will be asked if they would find products fertilised with urine acceptable. Final results are expected in 2012.

Another investigation (three-step survey) is carried out to identify user problems and develop counteractive measures. The focus is set on the expectations, desires, handling problems and general attitude of the users as well as the maintenance and cleaning personnel towards the new sanitation system (waterless urinals and urine-diversion flush toilets called NoMix toilets).
 The main issues of the user investigation are the handling of the system, hygiene, expectations towards the system (also regarding environmental issues), possible implementation in the private sector and reasons for operating errors and perceived complications.

First results show that from an user perspective the main problem is the low flushing force of the NoMix toilets.  Users as well as cleaning and maintenance personnel state that the water pressure is too low, thereby preventing a thorough removal of residuals especially from the front part of the toilet bowl. This problem was also not solved by increasing the flushing volume per use to its maximum possible level. As an alternative users tend to flush the toilets more than once per toilet use. It is supposed that the reason for that can be found in the general design of the toilet bowls. From the perspective of the technical personnel no fundamental concerns about the applied technology were expressed.

Another highly stressed out problem is the odour nuisance emitted by the NoMix toilets and the urinals. The nuisance still existed after improving the valve seals in the toilets and the use of another type of smell stops in the urinals. Especially women show big concerns about the hygiene of the toilets. For an appropriate use women are obliged to sit down. Men can use waterless urinals with no serious behaviour modifications.

Generally the interviewed toilet users are well informed about the sanitation system and its functionality. The provided information materials are assessed as sufficient. A final survey is conducted in 2012. Based on a comparison between all three surveys more statements regarding the acceptance of the sanitation system will be provided.

The cleaning personnel expressed that they expected an easily manageable technology that would not worsen their working conditions. However, during a group discussion it was reported, that the situation deteriorated, since the cleaning of the NoMix toilets takes more time and is more complicated due to blockages that occur more often than before. Also the cleaning of the waterless urinals is more time-consuming, because of the need of regularly removing deposits on the smell stops itself as well as replacing broken ones. The additional molesting odour increases their discontent about the sanitation system.

The leads of this focus point are the University of Bonn and the RWTH Aachen.