Consider locating the composter 2 in. to 18 in. (51 mm to 457 mm) above the grade of the floor. This will allow easy access (less stooping) for routine maintenance. Also, an elevated composter creates a grade drop, so you can better drain the leachate into another area or container.

Note: Draining leachate is mostly an issue with composters that do not have power-assisted evaporation systems.)

A self-contained appliance composter that sits on the toilet room floor has a fixed height from the floor to the toilet seat, but you could place it on a platform to make the removal area easier to access. Doing this, however, raises the height of the toilet seat. Remember to include the space needed to pull out the end-product removal drawer.

To move leachate horizontally you will need to provide a downward pitch of ¼ in. per linear ft (6.35 mm per linear meter). For example, if the destination is 4 ft. away from the leachate outlet, a one inch drop is required to drain it by gravity. (Typical pitch for clear, fresh water is ⅛ in. (3.3 mm) per linear foot, but leachate contains suspended solids, so it requires a steeper pitch.)

Elevating the system might not be necessary if the composter has access doors at knee level or higher or if there is an integrated leachate collection tank with an automatic pump.

With a self-contained composter that has a drain in the rear, such as the Sun-Mar composting toilet system, it can be helpful to shim (elevate) the front ⅛ in. to ¼ in. (but no more), so that liquid drains to the back. This will encourage drainage of the leachate. Your hardware store can provide you with beveled shims, or you can use cedar roofing or siding shingles. Be sure to keep the unit from tipping from side to side. Of course, you might choose to shim it only just before draining the system.