A toilet in the middle of nowhere – with Derek Chinn
December 20, 2022
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
Stantec’s Senior Principal Structures Engineer Derek Chinn designed a toilet in isolated Hooker Valley Track. Read the story from ACE New Zealand.
{
"text": "
We've all done it. You're in remote, alpine backcountry New Zealand and nature calls. No one is around, and there's almost always plenty of kawakawa (nature's toilet paper) to help get the job done. But that's exactly what the Department of Conservation was trying to prevent when they engaged Stantec to design and develop a toilet in the isolated Hooker Valley Track in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Rugged, erratic bounders, poor site access and cultural appropriation were just some of the challenges in building the now-named Stocking Stream Toilets. We sat down with Stantec's Principal Structural Engineer, Derek Chinn to hear just how they built a toilet in the middle of nowhere.
Read the full story from ACE New Zealand.
" }Share
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
-
As a principal structural engineer Derek does a broad variety of structural and civil design, procurement and construction administration, and selects pragmatic and innovative solutions for his clients.
Contact Derek
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/water.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "97279d2d\u002D154b\u002D430e\u002D85a0\u002D5ee42a568bed",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"link": {
"text":"Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/blending\u002Dgray\u002Dgreen\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dfor\u002Dimproved\u002Dcollection\u002Dsystem\u002Dperformance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0009\/spring\u002Dhill\u002Dsewer\u002Dseparation\u002Dmobility\u002D269394.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"link": {
"text":"Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/exploring\u002Dai\u002Drole\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D486166614.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"link": {
"text":"Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/expanding\u002Drecycled\u002Dwater\u002Dsouthern\u002Dcalifornia.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/stock\/other\/0008\/plastic\u002Dwater\u002Dpipe\u002Dadobestock\u002D274344464 (002).jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - 2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate-resilient landscapes and water reuse",
"link": {
"text":"2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate\u002Dresilient landscapes and water reuse",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/2026\u002Daec\u002Dtrends\u002Dpart\u002D3\u002Dclimate\u002Dresilient\u002Dlandscapes\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0098\/east\u002Dmidtown\u002Dgreenway\u002D246167.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate\u002Dresilient landscapes and water reuse",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"link": {
"text":"Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/change\u002Dmanagement\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Dwater\u002Dindustry\u002D5\u002Dways\u002Dutilities\u002Dcan\u002Dprepare\u002Dfor\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/piedmont\u002Dpark\u002Datlanta\u002Dadobestock\u002D516610027.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - A vision to design and deliver a first-of-its-kind water reuse program for San Diego",
"link": {
"text":"A vision to design and deliver a first\u002Dof\u002Dits\u002Dkind water reuse program for San Diego",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/vision\u002Dto\u002Ddesign\u002Ddeliver\u002Dfirst\u002Dof\u002Dits\u002Dkind\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse\u002Dprogram\u002Dsan\u002Ddiego.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/pure\u002Dwater\u002Dsan\u002Ddiego\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A vision to design and deliver a first\u002Dof\u002Dits\u002Dkind water reuse program for San Diego",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"link": {
"text":"Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dstarts\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Dheart\u002Dof\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dnatalie\u002Dvogt.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"link": {
"text":"How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dwater\u002Drisk\u002Dassessments\u002Dbuild\u002Dredundancy\u002Dwater\u002Dsupply.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0136\/douglas\u002Ddam\u002Dsurvey\u002D95789.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Progressive design-build delivers a high-risk, high-reward bioenergy facility ",
"link": {
"text":"Progressive design\u002Dbuild delivers a high\u002Drisk, high\u002Dreward bioenergy facility ",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/progressive\u002Ddesign\u002Dbuild\u002Ddelivers\u002Dhigh\u002Drisk\u002Dhigh\u002Dreward\u002Dbioenergy\u002Dfacility.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0135\/piscataway\u002Dbioenergy\u002Dfacility\u002D256686.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Progressive design\u002Dbuild delivers a high\u002Drisk, high\u002Dreward bioenergy facility ",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - Integrating approaches to maximize water resiliency—some call it One Water",
"link": {
"text":"Integrating approaches to maximize water resiliency—some call it One Water",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/integrating\u002Dapproaches\u002Dto\u002Dmaximize\u002Dwater\u002Dresiliency\u002Dsome\u002Dcall\u002Dit\u002Done\u002Dwater.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/002\/water\u002Dbubbles\u002Dadobestock\u002D71759311.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Integrating approaches to maximize water resiliency—some call it One Water",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Cybersecurity defense in the water industry: 3 steps utilities can take now",
"link": {
"text":"Cybersecurity defense in the water industry: 3 steps utilities can take now",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/cybersecurity\u002Ddefense\u002Dwater\u002Dindustry\u002D3\u002Dsteps\u002Dutilities\u002Dcan\u002Dtake\u002Dnow.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D524727983.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Cybersecurity defense in the water industry: 3 steps utilities can take now",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"link": {
"text":"America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/americas\u002Dwater\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dneeds\u002Dhelp\u002D3\u002Dways\u002Dto\u002Dstrengthen\u002Dit.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/hetch\u002Dhetchy\u002Dadobestock\u002D23520536.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - How water reuse projects are addressing water scarcity in the West—and beyond",
"link": {
"text":"How water reuse projects are addressing water scarcity in the West—and beyond",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/how\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse\u002Dprojects\u002Dare\u002Daddressing\u002Dwater\u002Dscarcity\u002Din\u002Dwest\u002Dbeyond.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0134\/washington\u002Dcounty\u002Dregional\u002Dreuse\u002Dsysem\u002D216372.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How water reuse projects are addressing water scarcity in the West—and beyond",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Hydrogen’s thirst: How much water supply is required for sustainable energy?",
"link": {
"text":"Hydrogen’s thirst: How much water supply is required for sustainable energy?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/hydrogens\u002Dthirst\u002Dhow\u002Dmuch\u002Dwater\u002Dsupply\u002Dis\u002Drequired\u002Dfor\u002Dsustainable\u002Denergy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/hydrogen\u002Dgas\u002Dstorage\u002Dadobestock\u002D510632197.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Hydrogen’s thirst: How much water supply is required for sustainable energy?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"link": {
"text":"How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dwater\u002Dutilities\u002Dtransition\u002Dto\u002Done\u002Dwater\u002Dapproach\u002D5\u002Dpractical\u002Dsteps.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/cache\u002Dle\u002Dpoudre\u002Driver\u002Dadobestock\u002D142864930.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - Bridging innovative water solutions and practical needs for water infrastructure upgrades",
"link": {
"text":"Bridging innovative water solutions and practical needs for water infrastructure upgrades",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/bridging\u002Dinnovative\u002Dwater\u002Dsolutions\u002Dpractical\u002Dneeds\u002Dwater\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dupgrades.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0016\/hespeler\u002Dwwtp\u002Dupgrade\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Bridging innovative water solutions and practical needs for water infrastructure upgrades",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Innovative treatment technologies: Balancing nutrient removal and energy management",
"link": {
"text":"Innovative treatment technologies: Balancing nutrient removal and energy management",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/innovative\u002Dtreatment\u002Dtechnologies\u002Dbalancing\u002Dnutrient\u002Dremoval\u002Denergy\u002Dmanagement.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0135\/gold\u002Dbar\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002D68240.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovative treatment technologies: Balancing nutrient removal and energy management",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - PPER (Part 2): How to prepare for Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations",
"link": {
"text":"PPER (Part 2): How to prepare for Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/pper\u002Dpart\u002D2\u002Dhow\u002Dto\u002Dprepare\u002Dfor\u002Dcanadas\u002Dupdated\u002Dpulp\u002Dpaper\u002Deffluent\u002Dregulations.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/paper\u002Dmill\u002Dadobestock\u002D267155507.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "PPER (Part 2): How to prepare for Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - PPER (Part 1): What do Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations mean for you?",
"link": {
"text":"PPER (Part 1): What do Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations mean for you?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/pper\u002Dpart\u002D1\u002Dwhat\u002Ddo\u002Dcanadas\u002Dupdated\u002Dpulp\u002Dpaper\u002Deffluent\u002Dregulations\u002Dmean\u002Dfor\u002Dyou.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/wastewater\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D389080455.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "PPER (Part 1): What do Canada’s updated Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations mean for you?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - The water industry is turning to progressive design-build. Here’s why.",
"link": {
"text":"The water industry is turning to progressive design\u002Dbuild. Here’s why.",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/water\u002Dindustry\u002Dis\u002Dturning\u002Dto\u002Dprogressive\u002Ddesign\u002Dbuild\u002Dhere\u002Dis\u002Dwhy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0098\/ladwp\u002Dsan\u002Dfernando.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The water industry is turning to progressive design\u002Dbuild. Here’s why.",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - Redefining water reuse to combat the global water crisis",
"link": {
"text":"Redefining water reuse to combat the global water crisis",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/redefining\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse\u002Dto\u002Dcombat\u002Dglobal\u002Dwater\u002Dcrisis.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0019\/hyperion\u002D2035\u002Dprogram\u002D199115.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Redefining water reuse to combat the global water crisis",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - A new life for waste: Advancing a circular economy",
"link": {
"text":"A new life for waste: Advancing a circular economy",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/a\u002Dnew\u002Dlife\u002Dfor\u002Dwaste\u002Dadvancing\u002Dcircular\u002Deconomy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/fuel\u002Dstorage\u002Dtanks\u002Dadobestock\u002D61947523.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A new life for waste: Advancing a circular economy",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Nature-based solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature\u002Dto\u002Dsolve\u002Denvironmental\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}