Porta potty black water into septic system?

[howlinowl]

Only been camping once so far, emptied the portapot into the dump station at the campground.  But, I started thinking that there may be some day when we go dry camping or camping at a campground that doesn't have or won't use the dump station.  My home has a septic system, and the city recently installed sewer lines.  My understanding is that the city will not issue permits for any kind of repairs to the septic system, only permits to hook into the sewer lines when something goes wrong.  I am a cheap son of a ......well, I really want to keep my septic system operating as long as possible to avoid paying to hook into the sewer lines (and have to pay for sewer service). Will dumping the portapot black water (with the deoderizor in it) into the toilet harm my septic system?  Nearest camper service center is quite a ways from me, and I really hate to have to tote the thing all the way there (and pay to dump it, remember, I'm a  cheap son of a.....).

Thanks,
Allan

[dthurk]

Only been camping once so far, emptied the portapot into the dump station at the campground.  But, I started thinking that there may be some day when we go dry camping or camping at a campground that doesn't have or won't use the dump station.  My home has a septic system, and the city recently installed sewer lines.  My understanding is that the city will not issue permits for any kind of repairs to the septic system, only permits to hook into the sewer lines when something goes wrong.  I am a cheap son of a ......well, I really want to keep my septic system operating as long as possible to avoid paying to hook into the sewer lines (and have to pay for sewer service). Will dumping the portapot black water (with the deoderizor in it) into the toilet harm my septic system?  Nearest camper service center is quite a ways from me, and I really hate to have to tote the thing all the way there (and pay to dump it, remember, I'm a  cheap son of a.....).

Thanks,
Allan

We dump ours at home into our septic system.  Haven't had a problem.  On a related note...we have our tanks pumped every 5 years.  That's more frequently than we need to, but it keeps the system running well.  If your a cheap son of a......, you may want to consider the relatively inexpensive cost of pumping regularly as opposed to the more expensive alternative of the city's solution.

[Tim5055]

dthurk is giving good advice.  It really should not give you a problem dumpng a few times at home.

Pumping the septic on a regular basis should give you years of  trouble free service.

[tknick]

this is from the Thetford site (makers of Aqua-kem)

Can I safely dump my holding tank in my home septic system?

Yes - as long as your septic system is fully functioning, adequately sized and properly maintained. If you do, it's important to use only the recommended amount of deodorant in your holding tank and only empty when the tank is full.

Also, because holding tank waste is very concentrated and breakdown takes longer, we recommend you dump only one RV holding tank in a home septic system per week.

that doesn't mention their brand specifically.  I would guess the same holds true for most holding tank chemicals.  like they said, the key is to use only the recommended amount and have a full tank to make sure the concentration is correct.

travis

[deniski]

Also, we (I work for environmental health dept) recommend that you try to do some laundry at the same time to help dilute the porta pot waste.  Holding tank waste treated the same unless it's a really large holding tank, then I would recommend using the dump site instead of your own system.

The best thing you can do for your system is to keep it pumped out regularly (every 3-5 years) depending on use.  More often if you run garbage disposal!  And add an effluent filter at the septic tank outlet too  (if possible) to protect the drainfield.  That being said, most drainfields have a limited lift span...

good luck.