Where To Empty Chemical Toilet
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Whether you are heading out in your motorhom, RV or caravan you will more than likely need to use your toilet at some point, especially if you are going far and staying away for an extended period of time.
Campsites that accept motorhomes and caravans will have a special area which is designed for disposing waste from chemical toilets. These are signposted around the campsite and are clearly marked for guests. Chemical toilet waste should not be dumped as this can result in fines.
In this post, we will be talking about where to empty a chemical toilet, how to empty a chemical toilet and extra tips and tricks you should know before attempting to empty your own chemical toilet.
How to Find Somewhere to Empty A Chemical Toilet
Campsites have places that have been specifically designated as dumping sites for chemical toilets to maintain hygiene and prevent chemicals from going into the sewage system directly. These designated areas on campsites are marked as Chemical Disposal Points or a septic tank outdoor access ports. When you visit the septic tank, open the pump-out port on top of it and pour your waste into it, and cover immediately you are done to prevent air pollution.
However, if you do not find a Chemical Disposal Point, the next best thing is to flush your chemical toilet contents down a regular water closet, and sometimes you might need to go back to your house to find one you can use. Scout the disposal area at your campsite and map out the quickest route from where you set up your equipment to the place, so you do not get stuck when taking your waste out. Many campsites indicate the way to the disposal area clearly so campers would not have trouble finding them but if you cannot find it, ask someone else camping on the site or one of the rangers guarding the area.
Under no circumstances should you dispose of your chemical toilet’s contents at a wastewater disposal point. Please keep it away from freshwater points or streams so you do not pollute the place and risk anyone drinking water containing your waste by accident. Any time you use a chemical toilet, your waste material should be stored in a sealed cassette, so it does not cause any pollution problems.
When emptying it into a Chemical Disposal Point or water closet, make sure you press the air-valve button so that air would flow into the cassette, and the waste material would flow out smoothly without spluttering all over the place. Of course, not every chemical toilet operates the same way, so read the manual that comes with yours to know how to dispose of your waste correctly.
Some chemical toilets have two sections that can be detached. One section contains the toilet bowl with a detachable seat, cover and a tank to hold water meant for flushing. The other section is where the waste holding tank resides. When it is time to empty the chemical toilet, you should separate the two sections and take the waste holding tank for disposal. This method ensures hygiene and convenience.
Some chemical toilets are built into the RVs or motorhomes that they come with. These toilets have a cassette waste holding tank to store waste materials, and some have wheels attached to ensure easy transportation. The cassette tank can be detached from outside the RV and taken to the appropriate dumpsite.
How to Empty A Chemical Toilet
It would be best to resist the temptation of emptying your waste materials on the ground. Campers ought to be responsible and preserve the environment which everyone enjoys. Even though human waste would eventually decompose, it could release toxic materials that will pollute the environment and be harmful to others in the campsite.
After locating an appropriate disposal area, wear a disposable glove to avoid collecting bacteria since you will be dealing with something potentially hazardous. Then, you are to release the latch that keeps the waste and water tank held together and carry the waste holding tank. The tank is usually designed to be light-weight for convenience purposes because disposal sites are kept at a certain distance away from campers. Nonetheless, try to visit the disposal area on your campsite as often as possible, so the tank does not get too heavy.
When you are ready to dispose of the waste, open the waste tank’s spout and get ready to pour the contents out. There are a lot of waste tanks that have spouts that rotate. This type of spout rotates so that the waste pours away from your hand and where you are standing, reducing the risk of you accidentally splashing some of it on your body.
If your waste tank is not equipped with this, make sure you pour carefully into the septic tank that collects the waste, so none of it gets on your body. Use one of your hands to lift the water holding tank by the front handle, and with your second hand, hold the air-valve to allow ventilation and gently tip the waste tank over the septic tank to pour the waste materials in. Some septic tanks have lids that you have to lift before pouring your waste, while others have open grids where you pour the waste material unto. Make sure you expel the contents of the waste disposal tank as much as possible.
After disposal, get clean water and rinse out the tank to remove any residue left behind. Do this by filling the waste disposal tank with clean water and shake thoroughly to remove any waste particle that might have gotten stuck to the side of the tank. Dispose of the water after rinsing, into the septic tank and repeat this process until the water becomes crystal clear.
Now that the tank is clean, you have to reattach it to the other section of the chemical toilet so it can be used again. However, before doing that, make sure you leave a bit of clean water in the waste holding tank and put in toilet chemicals to disinfect the water and the waste materials that would be put into it. The chemicals would help the waste materials break down and prevent odours from forming and disturbing your peaceful time when you are in your RV.
You can also use this time to refill your fresh water tank as you assemble the chemical toilet to the state it was before. It is crucial that you properly dispose of the glove you used to empty the toilet and thoroughly wash your hands to get rid of any bacteria that could make you sick.
Things Campers Should Know About Emptying Chemical Toilets
You Can Get Fined for Dumping Your Waste on the Ground
As mentioned earlier, dumping human waste on the ground is not the best course of action. It can cost you money and bring embarrassment your way if the authorities governing your campground catches you doing so.
You can get a hefty fine, which could spoil your camping spirit. To avoid this, look for or ask for directions to the campground’s chemical disposal point
Look for Chemical Disposal Points Along Your Way Before Going on A Road Trip
Taking your time to do this while planning your camp journey would make a huge difference and bring you peace of mind as you embark on your journey.
It would enable you to know where you can find the next disposal location ahead of time in case you do not spend the night in a campground that has one.
Only Dispose of Waste from Chemical Toilets in A Water Closet as The Last Resort
As long as you can do without emptying your waste disposal tank’s contents in a water closet, do not empty it in there. This is because the chemicals used in breaking down the waste can seep into underground water, harming the environment.