Case Study: Solarid Toilet System at Solstice Sanctuary
Solstice Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) farm animal rescue in Salem, Wisconsin. Since 2021, the sanctuary has rescued animals who have experienced trauma or lost their homes while also offering volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and restorative experiences for the community.
With 30 to 50 people visiting the property in a typical week, the sanctuary had outgrown its restroom capacity. Its existing bathroom was connected to a limited septic system that was already operating at full capacity, making traditional expansion impractical.
The organization needed a way to increase restroom access without expanding its septic infrastructure, while also supporting a property that continues to evolve as programs and events grow.
Solarid Toilet in A Mobile Trailer
To meet that need, the sanctuary has the Solarid Toilet inside a mobile restroom trailer. The standalone system allowed the team to add a second restroom exactly where it was needed without connecting to the existing septic system. Because the trailer is mobile, it can be repositioned around the property as needs change, and the organization grows.
The trailer operates on rooftop solar with battery storage and can also plug into standard electrical power when needed. It includes its own sink and holding tank, allowing the property's original septic system to remain dedicated to the existing restroom.
Installation concluded with a one-hour training session and user manual, allowing staff to begin operating the system immediately.
One Year In Use
Since July 2025, the Solarid Toilet has remained in service through every Wisconsin season, including summer heat, below-freezing temperatures, and heavy winter snowfall.
During the winter, reduced sunlight meant the trailer was connected to on-site electrical power to maintain continuous operation and provide heat for volunteers using the restroom. Winterization consisted of draining the sink water holding tank to prevent freezing while the toilet itself continued operating exactly as it had throughout the summer.
For many first-time visitors, the biggest question wasn't about reliability. It was simple curiosity: How does it flush without water?
The team answered by demonstrating the foot pedal and explaining how waste is transferred into the sealed holding tank below. Once visitors saw the system in action, the questions typically stopped. The experience quickly became familiar.
Simple, Familiar Maintenance
The restroom is cleaned once each week using a straightforward maintenance routine. A team member sprays the interior with Young Living Thieves natural cleaning solution using an automatic sprayer, allows it to sit briefly, then rinses approximately two gallons of water through the system into the holding tank. Because the sprayer reaches the interior surfaces, the process requires minimal manual scrubbing.
The restroom is also stocked with septic-safe toilet paper, allowing waste to break down efficiently inside the holding tank. The holding tank is serviced seasonally by the same local septic company that already serves the sanctuary. Since installation, it has been pumped three times, and the team reports minimal odor throughout normal operation.
In Their Words
"Our Solarid Toilet is installed in a semi-permanent mobile structure on our farm. Septic constraints made it impossible to add another bathroom, and Solarid provided a reliable alternative. We host more than 30 volunteers each week, and the toilet experience feels familiar. The tank is easy to service using our existing septic provider, which keeps maintenance simple. Having this second bathroom on site has allowed us to offer a better restroom experience for volunteers and events. During the summer, the system runs on solar power, supporting our off-grid setup. Living in an all-weather climate, we have seen consistent performance in both extreme cold and extreme heat."
Vice President, Solstice Sanctuary | Wisconsin
By the Numbers
30-50 visitors each week
300+ completed flushes since July 2025 (to be confirmed)
Three seasonal pump-outs
The Result
For Solstice Sanctuary, the Solarid Toilet made it possible to expand restroom capacity without expanding septic infrastructure.
One year later, the system continues to support volunteers, guests, and programs with a familiar restroom experience, straightforward maintenance, and reliable operation through every Wisconsin season. The installation also demonstrates how the Solarid Toilet can provide flexible restroom solutions for organizations where traditional infrastructure isn't practical. This same approach can be applied across farms, parks, recreation sites, construction projects, educational campuses, and other off-grid or infrastructure-limited environments.