By Gail Marsh
We received this letter from a reader:
“We put in a composting toilet about 6 months ago. Absolutely love it. We empty a container once a week that holds the urine. About a gallon. Just twist on a cover, walk to a restroom in the wayside or campground and dump it in the toilet. Or in the sewer in our campsite if it has one. The other day in a wayside in Texas a worker there told my husband no, this is not a dump site. I am not sure why it never occurred to us. Have we been wrong? Should we only be doing this in the sewer?”
I scoured the web and looked on Facebook and found similar questions from other RVers. The comments about emptying a composting toilet exploded! Here are a few comments:
Comments about where to dump composting toilets
John H. commented, “You are doing exactly what I do. It’s no different than people using the campground toilet or rest area restroom.”
Arlee joined the discussion with a different viewpoint. “I think you should empty your toilet into a designated dump station, just like you do with your RV holding tanks.”
Shawna N. agreed with Arlee: “Ew! Use the sewer! That’s what it’s there for. Ew.”
Thom G. offered, “I just don’t see the difference between dumping into a campground toilet or emptying at a dump station. Can someone explain?”
Lana H. explained it like this, “Just close your eyes and imagine dumping a gallon of urine down a toilet. Splashes, spills, and germs going everywhere! Then, when someone else comes in to use that toilet, it’s a mess—on the seat, on the floor, everywhere!”
RVtravel.com’s own writer, Nanci Dixon, even joined the discussion. She said she dumps into a camp toilet just like the original reader described.
Never dump into a storm drain!
Note that there is an important difference between a sewer line and a storm drain. A sewer line will be transported to a wastewater plant for treatment before discharging into any body of water. Anything put into a storm drain will empty directly into nearby streams and other bodies of water without being treated. Excess urine, like that captured in a composting toilet, can upset the delicate ecosystem of a river or stream, so you should never dump into storm drains.
Your thoughts?
What’s your opinion on this explosive topic? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.
##RVT1154
How is a bottle of urine any different than someone who uses a nightly container and walks it to the toilet in the campground in the morning? It isn’t. The volume of urine being flushed might necessitate two flushings but I cannot see how that is a misuse of the toilets. As to Arlee’s concern about spraying, messes and drops, if the lid is lifted, and care is taken, this is less likely to happen. Generally, most people using the composting urine bottle, IMHO, would be careful to not make a mess. Why do I say that? Because if they were the type of person who made a huge mess and didn’t care, more likely that they’d just dump their bottle behind a tree somewhere instead.
Use a dump station, that’s what they are for. Some people going into a restroom to dump a bucket in a toilet might spill some on the floor or on the toilet. Others who spill some won’t clean up after themselves, leaving a smelly mess on the floor or on the toilet. Better yet, if you must dump in a toilet, do it when you get home and dump it into you home toilet.
My first and lingering thought was how two people generate only a gallon of urine in one week
Trees ??
Good one Bill!
Hi, Bill. That reminds me of when I bought my first parcel of remote mountain property (11 acres) in 1992. My sons were 16 and 13. I told them to walk around the perimeter of the property (all woods, no trails) and “mark” the trees, so the black bears, mountain lions, etc., would stay away from us. They weren’t too impressed with their assignment. “Yeah, right, Mom!”🤣 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane aka Mountain Mama
Hi, Russ. That reminds me of when my son was in the Middle East while serving in the Marines (was in the second tank into Iraq on the first day of fighting–first tank hit an IED). It was about 120 degrees, and even though they were all drinking gallons of water every day, they sweated it all out and didn’t have to pee for a couple of days.😱 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
If you use chemicals in the composting toilet, it should go to a dump station. If there are no chemicals then I don’t see why you can’t dump it in a toilet and clean up after yourself.
If the toilet connects to the same septic system as used by FHU RVs, you ARE putting it in the sewer. The difference is a matter of sanitation. People don’t sit on a dump station for good reason. The same reason could apply to pouring waste into a toilet.
These comments make it sound like bathrooms are spotless – until you come along with a jug of urine and mess the place up. It’s no different than guys peeing in a toilet. However, I didn’t see any mention of the other ‘stuff’ and how you get rid of it.
Good comment Tom. What is the nature- consistency, moisture content- of the composted other material. From a Plumber you don’t want to be dumping a “wad” of highly concentrated material that could clog the toilet or sewer line. Just think of the “pyramid” that forms in the black tank when not enough water is used.
Gail, Have you ever considered asking the sanitation dept? Or Campground owners, or park Rangers? You constantly ask RVrs, and we all know everyone of them is expert in any discussion that is brought up. So, ultimately, the question is really not answered definitively.
I can see both points of this argument, however when you are dumping urine in the toilet some people are careful as they pour it while others don’t care if they make a mess. It’s the same thing when a male stands to urinate. They can make a mess on the seat and everywhere else too.
I can see the issue coming up with the other waste being put in a toilet, but liquid wouldn’t clog up the pipes even if its a gallon.
Well, I suppose that if one were to close their eyes and dump a gallon of urine there could be some spillage. Performed properly though, the procedure would be more sanitary than guys with poor aim. EW!
I, either, empty in sewer line or take to bathroom. If you lift the toilet seat up and SLOWLY empty the urine container, while flushing the toilet you shouldn’t get it ‘everywhere ‘. FYI urine is sterile poop is not…..so there’s not a major bacteria issue.
I totally agree; however, how many do you think will actually do this? I have found that with today’s typical “Me” attitudes, it will happen much less than you think. You and I may be an exception, but I bet we are in the minority. That said and for what it’s worth, we NEVER use a public restroom’s toilet unless it’s absolutely necessary. I don’t know about women’s public restrooms, but the men’s I’ve seen are totally filthy.
From a Master Plumber- The women’s rest rooms are TWICE AS BAD in relation to cleanliness.
Urine is sterile? No it’s not.
Urine is typically aseptic (no active organisms) unless the person/animal has a urinary tract infection. It is typically high in ammonia, which is a disinfectant. In some cultures, some people will drink a cup of their own urine daily believing it promotes health.
Yeah, but they drink fresh urine. After a week there are bacteria and other new items. While urine is considered sterile, it’s not 100% sterile and bacteria multiplies over time. Even a lab technician know this. You’re just kidding yourself.
medically speaking yes, it is unless there is an urinary infection
Most rest stations are vaults. They have to be pumped out and contents taken to a sewer treatment plant. I’ll bet the worker feels it will have to be emptied sooner. It’s the same waste regardless of now or then.
i must have it all wrong. The RV companies who sell these toilets in their RVs, specifically say you can pull it out of your RV and take it to a toilet and dump it, which includes number 1 and number 2. Am I wrong?
It’s one thing to single use a toilet. It’s another to dump a week or more of use. Vault toilets are single use. Use the dump station!
What does the manufacturer or manual say to do. All of the comments here are in their opinion, neither wrong or right. What is really legal?
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Interesting question and comments. I got nothing to add. We have a regular RV toilet in our RV. I broached the subject of changing the two toilets in RV #1 to composting ones to DW and she adamantly said, “No way!” Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
In 2020 our Rv was parked in the yard – but used to watch the news and have a beer each day – just a habit. After a week or month the black tank needs refreshing, so I simply drain the contents into a bucket and deposit it in the toilet in the house! Simple and it all goes to the same place – even the same volume! With that said, I would never think to do this in a campground or rest area. If I have been unable to find a dump station en-route home, I will use our home toilet – although it takes several buckets and trips back and forth. It is illegal in most areas to dump into the city street sewer because you can’t tell if it is sewage or storm water. Clean up after yourself!!!
As for dumping a gallon of urine in the camps toilet I can only think of it this way. If a stranger came up to your home and asked if they could dump there campers urine in your toilet would you say oh, yah sure!
I also wouldn’t let 1400 ppl use my toilet everyday. It’s just urine. It belongs on the toilet.
what?
And why don’t you pee in the composting toilet? Where do you dump the contents of the composting toilet?
I have no issue with this, as long as they don’t make a mess! If you spill urine, please wipe it up!
I am shocked to read some of the comments, I fail to see a difference between emptying a container into a toilet or relieving one self by sitting on the seat, it all ends up in the same place. It all depends on the individuals using the facilities. There are those that use the facilities and leave a thorough mess. I have witnessed individuals rinsing the sewer hose on the site table and individuals doing an oil change to a vehicle or boat, and discharging the used oil on the ground. How do you change uncaring stupidity? Read previous comments pertaining to reasons why convenience dump stations are being shut down.
What about those RVs (mostly Class B’s) that have a cassette toilet? I’ve seen some of these folks dumping 5 gals of mixed waste (#1 & #2) down a rest stop toilet. A lot different than a gallon of urine.
be neat and no spills. The mentioned poster in the article who said eww, spills and mess all over the bathroom obviously would not be careful when performing this operation . The toilet waste is heading to the same place that the dumping station waste is heading
Interesting. I wouldn’t want to be seen packing such things around the campground. Some will always abuse and make a mess. I can’t figure why I can’t take my dog in a restroom with me, he certainly has never messed inside a building; he’s cleaner than most people who make the restrooms a filthy mess.