| Information is available on the Internet for anyone | | | | absorption by trees, shrubs, plants and grass. |
| researching alternatives to flush toilets, septic | | | | Digestor tanks collect and break down all waste and |
| systems and hookup. Most of these products and | | | | trash, producing both methane gas that can be used |
| technologies have been designed to address one or | | | | for fuel, and humus. |
| both of the two central problems presented by | | | | Composting toilets collect human waste and turn it |
| flushing away human waste. | | | | into humus. |
| Problem one is the use of water to flush waste. A | | | | Incinerating toilets burn the waste, reducing it to a |
| single flush can use up to eight gallons of water, with | | | | fine ash. |
| a household of four people using more than two | | | | Evaporating toilets evaporate the waste. Depending |
| hundred gallons a day just to flush the toilet. | | | | on the methodology, these either reduce or eliminate |
| Low-flow toilets address this problem by reducing the | | | | the amount of waste needing to be pumped. |
| amount of water used and increasing the velocity of | | | | Three factors figure into the evaluation process of |
| the flush. Waterless toilets eliminate the use of water | | | | these products and systems. They are |
| altogether. | | | | appropriateness, cost of system and cost of |
| Problem two is when the ground cannot properly | | | | operating. |
| handle human waste at a given site or in a given | | | | Is the system appropriate? Systems requiring water |
| watershed area that would otherwise use a septic | | | | won't work where there is no running water or the |
| system. Categories of products and systems | | | | ground won't perc. Systems not allowed by the local |
| addressing this problem include advanced treatment | | | | codes also get ruled out unless a waiver is granted. |
| systems, microbiotic treatment systems, portable | | | | (In many cases a waiver will be granted.) Systems |
| potties, holding tanks, lagoon systems, | | | | too small or too large for the anticipated usage |
| evaportranspiration systems, chemical toilets, digestor | | | | should be ruled out. Systems that cannot stand up to |
| tanks, composting toilets, incinerating toilets and | | | | local conditions, such as freezing, or to intermittent |
| evaporative toilets. | | | | use such as seasonal cabins, would also be ruled out. |
| Advanced treatment systems and microbiotic | | | | For example, aerobic systems that spray treated |
| treatment systems improve on septic systems. With | | | | waste need a constant supply of waste to treat |
| more treatment the waste is turned into a safer | | | | because otherwise the bacteria they require will not |
| discharge, doing on site what waste treatment plants | | | | multiply sufficiently to do the job. |
| do for sewage. | | | | Cost. In computing costs of a system be sure to |
| Portable toilets/chemical toilets simply collect the | | | | factor in labor and any additional material required, |
| waste in small tanks that have a substantial amount | | | | such as sand or gravel. With septic systems the |
| of liquid chemicals pre-loaded for the purpose of killing | | | | greater the amount of leech lines required, the |
| pathogens and controlling odor. The tanks are then | | | | greater willl be the amount of needed land and the |
| pumped and trucked away for disposal or drained | | | | cost of the leech lines. |
| into septic systems or sewers. Variations of these | | | | Operational costs. How much power, chemicals and |
| are also used in RV's, boats, trains and planes. | | | | system maintenance will be required? Are there |
| Holding tanks are large tanks sunk into the ground. | | | | pumping and disposal fees? Do any components need |
| They are pumped periodically and are typically used | | | | periodic replacing? How long will the system last? Can |
| for large public facilities such as rest stops and public | | | | the system be left unattended and unused for |
| parks. | | | | extended periods of time without needing servicing |
| Lagoon systems are ponds that collect sewage. | | | | to start up and resume proper functioning? Does the |
| Solids settle to the bottom of the pond and the | | | | system need to be winterized? |
| liquids evaporate. These are widely used by small | | | | Most professionals in the sanitation industry will tell |
| towns, campgrounds, resort areas, recreation areas | | | | you that proper sanitation can be provided for any |
| and clusters of homes. | | | | situation. But remember, the advice is no better than |
| Evapotranspiration systems put liquid waste out on | | | | the information you provide. So, ask and seek, don't |
| top of the ground for evaporation as well as | | | | be bashful! |