Laurie Tennant, of Engenius, with the Island’s first water turbine which powers the eco-friendly public toilets, behind. Picture by Peter Boam.
NEW eco-friendly public toilets at Ventnor are so efficient, they can actually make money when you spend a penny.
The Island’s first commercial water turbine, commissioned by Isle of Wight renewable energy specialists Engenius Limited, is used to power the modern £285,000 loos and any extra electricity can be sold back to the national grid.
The toilets, unveiled on Tuesday by the Isle of Wight Council, were built using recycled materials and are flushed using rainwater collected from a 'living’ grass roof.
They are part of a wider project to refurbish Ventnor Esplanade and the area now boasts a restored play area and public showers for beach users.
Even the famous Isle of Wight paddling pool has been given a makeover.
Environmentally friendly toilet blocks have been installed in towns and villages across the Isle of Wight, including Yaverland, Brading and Wootton, as part of the council’s Eco-Island strategy.
They combine hydro-electricity, solar and wind power, making them what is believed to be the country’s greenest loos.
They also have low-energy lights activated by movement sensors, which are automatically turned off when no one is in the building, and have been designed to make the most of natural ventilation and daylight, reducing running costs.
Stuart Love, the council’s director of environment and neighbourhoods, said: "Residents across the Island have told us they want to see better public toilets. We have listened and provided not just smart new toilet blocks but facilities that include the very latest in green technology.
"The toilets are proving very popular."
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk