Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants [Paperback]

Carol Steinfeld (Author), Malcolm Wells (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

Nitrogen pollution of lakes, rivers, and oceans by human urine is a growing problem. Liquid Gold shows how urine can safely be used to grow food, fuel, fiber, and beautiful landscapes while protecting the environment and providing free and safe fertilizer. Featuring a short history of urine use—from ritual to medicinal and even culinary—and many whimsical illustrations, this great bathroom reader is an ideal gift for irreverent gardeners, homeowners, campers, environmentalists, and anyone who urinates.

Carol Steinfeld is a writer, urinal designer, and ecological wastewater consultant.

Malcolm Wells is a well-known illustrator and author specializing in underground architecture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol Steinfeld is a writer, researcher, and program designer who specializes in ecological resource management solutions. She is the co-author of 3 books on wastewater management. As project director for Ecowaters, a nonprofit public information project, she conducts workshops worldwide. Malcolm Wells is a well-known illustrator, draftsman, lecturer, cartoonist, columnist and the author of several books. Trained as an architect, Mac has been a tireless promoter of earth-sheltered houses for over 40 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: EcoWaters; 1 edition (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966678311
• ISBN-13: 978-0966678314
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice for a world of scarce resources., June 21, 2006

By 

Kristin Belko (Jackson, Wyoming) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants (Paperback)

The is a smart, thoughtful book on an important subject. Despite the cartoon cover, the author approaches the use and disposal of urine in a practical and user friendly way. She presents convincing scientific information supporting the healthful use of urine for growing plants. Also, she gives good information on composting toilets. This is a timely subject for two reasons: first, the recapture of the nitrogen and other resources that are contained in the urine. Second: the disposal of urine without polluting drinking water. Like the Humanure book, this book makes the important point that the use of pure water to flush wastes away into the sewer system is a very poor use of very scarce resources.

Highly recommend.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars urine charge and urine good hands with this book, September 4, 2004

By 

Robert L. France (cambridge, ma United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants (Paperback)

This little gem of a book is both an informative source of about all things urine - including interesting historical attitudes and uses as well as modern environmental aspects - in addition to being a very fun read due to the amusing diagrams and sharp prose. Both the professional wastewater expert and the casual nature lover will find much knowledge and enjoyment in these pages. Because of this, Liquid Gold would be the perfect "stocking stuffer" gift for the environmentalist in your house this upcoming holiday season!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is FUN!, December 1, 2007

By 

David Gutierrez "nbk33p2" (nbk33p2) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants (Paperback)

For anyone interested in this sort of thing "Practicality". This book is fun and interesting. I loved it. Very Easy read. Lots of techniques used around the world on urine separating toilents; along with ideas on how to create you own urinals. I acually made one after reading this book and am using it as liquid fertilizer in my yard. The design is so clean and out of the way that not even my wife was bothered by it!