Dumping RV tanks into home syptic system

[SteveAE]

For the five or 6 years that I have been RV'ing, for convenience, I would sometimes dump my tanks into my home septic system upon returning home. While I have felt pretty comfortable doing this, I have also wondered if there was any potential for damage (to my home septic system) from this practice. So, when the tanks were especially full, I would sometimes throttle the flow so as to only allow part of the tank(s) to dump at a time. Give it a moment or two to settle, then dump some more.

Today, when I had my septic tank pumped (I do it every 5 years), I took the opportunity to raise this question with the pumper.

I learned that IF chemicals are used in the RV holding tank AND this dumping is done frequently (i.e.; > 12 times per year), then over time, these chemicals will build up in the septic tank enough that they start to liquefy its contents. If the contents of the tank liquefy (they are supposed to separate; with solids at the bottom, water in the middle, and a scum layer on top), then this "slurry" makes its way past the outlet sanitary tee (located in the center of the tank and designed for only water to pass) and into the drain field. On the other hand, if this dumping only happens a few times per year (6 to 8), then it was his opinion that it "isn't likely" to cause a problem.

When I told the pumper that I don't use chemicals at all, he responded that I "can dump as much, as fast, and as often as I want". The inlet tee will slow down the flow so as not to cause turbulence in the septic tank and the contents will be digested by the natural process in the tank (not liquefied as the RV chemicals "eventually" do).

This made sense to me so I wanted to share it with the RV community.

Happy dumping.

[Cummins12V98]

csamayfield55 wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

mine has never been pumped. Almost 50 years now.

THIS is why they made the law in PA forcing inspections and pumping.

No, they forced a law because the septic pumping companies had their hands in someone's pocket and needed a little extra money coming their way!

There is no reason a properly functioning septic tank EVER needs pumped!!

Chris

You are absolutely CORRECT!!!

My Dad has NEVER pumped his tank. Bought home new in 1968 and has used Roebic K37 septic treatment every year. ALL his neighbors have had theirs pumped many times or system completely replaced.

I have used Roebic since 1995 and NEVER pumped my tank and have dumped RV with odor chemicals for the last 15 years.

Those laws are meant for rentals because the renters won't take care of maintaining the system as a homeowner will.

As a homeowner the poop stops going down hill I get the problem fixed.

[valhalla360]

SteveAE wrote:


Think about it this way. Municipal wastewater treatment plants spend thousands of dollars each year to haul away the solids that accumulate in their digesters, so why shouldn't the same be true for the home system?Digesters are usually associated with medium to large cities where you have 10's of thousands of residences and buisnesses coming in. To build a drain field to handle this would be on the order of several square miles. This is why septic systems are usually only used in rural areas.

Or, another way to think about it, is that it's cheap insurance ($280.00 here in Central Oregon for a 1000 gallon tank) in case those of you who don't believe in regular pumping are mistaken. Given this, how can you lose?You lose $280. If that was the only time you use this thought process, it's not a big deal. If you use it regularly in all phases of your life, this thought process will cost you many thousands per year. Why spend the money on something totally unneccessary?

But again, I don't care what anyone here does. I am just trying to help save money on repair costs, or earn you more money when you sell your home.....oh yea, and to share what I learned about RV chemicals going into septic tanks.Doesn't really help you save money and doesn't really help you sell your home because if the govt says you have to pump the tank when you sell, it doesn't matter if you pump it every 3yrs. They will require it to be pumped again for the sale.

While I realize, it wasn't your original goal missinformation was being spread.

[Old-Biscuit]

SteveAE wrote:
OP here.

The intent of my post was just to share what I learned, not to start a "discussion" on the merits of pumping septic tanks.

However, I can say that if I was looking to purchase a home with a tank that hadn't been pumped in over 20 years, I would budget into the negotiations several thousand dollars for replacement of the drain field. What other perspective buyers might do, I don't care.

Think about it this way. Municipal wastewater treatment plants spend thousands of dollars each year to haul away the solids that accumulate in their digesters, so why shouldn't the same be true for the home system?

Or, another way to think about it, is that it's cheap insurance ($280.00 here in Central Oregon for a 1000 gallon tank) in case those of you who don't believe in regular pumping are mistaken. Given this, how can you lose?

But again, I don't care what anyone here does. I am just trying to help save money on repair costs, or earn you more money when you sell your home.....oh yea, and to share what I learned about RV chemicals going into septic tanks.

Happy dumping...and for some I hope, pumping.

Upon selling a home with septic system...the tank has to be pumped and inspected. Including the leech field.
IF issues found...they will be disclose/noted....then one can 'negotiate'

Properly functioning septic system does NOT need routine pumping

[valhalla360]

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

The only reason a septic tank should need to be pumped is if it wasn't properly sized, you broke something (ie: ran over the tile field and broke several pipes), or you are putting lots of non-biodegradable stuff in it.

It's required by law when you sell to avoid someone selling a problem. 99% of the time it is a total waste of money.

RV park septic systems are different because lots of people use chemicals and you don't know what ones. They do this dozens of times per week. A far different situation from a household system where you put one tank in a few times a year.

[SteveAE]

OP here.

The intent of my post was just to share what I learned, not to start a "discussion" on the merits of pumping septic tanks.

However, I can say that if I was looking to purchase a home with a tank that hadn't been pumped in over 20 years, I would budget into the negotiations several thousand dollars for replacement of the drain field. What other perspective buyers might do, I don't care.

Think about it this way. Municipal wastewater treatment plants spend thousands of dollars each year to haul away the solids that accumulate in their digesters, so why shouldn't the same be true for the home system?

Or, another way to think about it, is that it's cheap insurance ($280.00 here in Central Oregon for a 1000 gallon tank) in case those of you who don't believe in regular pumping are mistaken. Given this, how can you lose?

But again, I don't care what anyone here does. I am just trying to help save money on repair costs, or earn you more money when you sell your home.....oh yea, and to share what I learned about RV chemicals going into septic tanks.

Happy dumping...and for some I hope, pumping.

[CavemanCharlie]

Thanks for the post. The idea of avoiding some chemicals in your home septic system is good to think about.

As for pumping you home system every 5 years.... It's up to you but, I have pumped mine in 25 years.

[Bird_Freak]

Lynnmor wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

mine has never been pumped. Almost 50 years now.

THIS is why they made the law in PA forcing inspections and pumping.

Care to explain this ignorant statement. If the system works it will not need pumping.:S

[Rancher_Will]

For over 50 yeas we have dumped out holding tanks from the RV(s) into our septic tank system here on our ranch.

We have never used any chemicals in the RV holding tanks. My wife for years,however, usually puts about a teaspoon full of laundry detergent (Tide) in our Black Water Tank when we start on a trip. This sloshes around as we drive and I can't say if it helps or not. I know that it has not hurt anything.

At home on the ranch every month I put Rid-X in the septic tank system and we have never had the septic tank pumped. The Rid-X seems to keep it working properly. Since at home our laundry, with detergent, drains into the Septic tank regularly, I believe the Tide in the RV Black Water tank can't hurt when we dump at home.

[csamayfield55x]

Lynnmor wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

mine has never been pumped. Almost 50 years now.

THIS is why they made the law in PA forcing inspections and pumping.

No, they forced a law because the septic pumping companies had their hands in someone's pocket and needed a little extra money coming their way!

There is no reason a properly functioning septic tank EVER needs pumped!!

Chris

[Lynnmor]

Bird Freak wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

mine has never been pumped. Almost 50 years now.

THIS is why they made the law in PA forcing inspections and pumping.

[Bird_Freak]

Lynnmor wrote:
All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

mine has never been pumped. Almost 50 years now.

[Grit_dog]

"My RV buddy down the road from me here uses his all the time. He runs the 3/4-hose into the bathroom window and lets it go down the toilet"

Urp! Gross. Is his name Eddy?

[Lynnmor]

All septic tanks need to be pumped periodically. In many locations, it is required by law. While some may go 15 years without a problem, they better have a large lot to install a whole new system when the problem does occur.

[emorris548]

As others have mentioned, I use a Macerator to dump into my septic (no way to get MH close enough for 3 inch hose). I only do it if My last site, prior to coming home did not have a sewer connection.

I have been to RV parks around the country that were on septic systems and they seem to do ok.

Interesting enough is a Indian Casino near my location that will only let you use their non formaldehyde solution in your tanks to dump into their septic system. Upon check in their staff will dump your tanks into a separate holding tank then give you their solution. They haul off this tank to a nearby city's sewer system.

But this is in Calif., so I guess was some sort of agreement they had to make to build the RV park.

[csamayfield55x]

korbe wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
There are plenty of rv parks on septic systems.

Ding ding ding............winner chicken dinner :B

I don't use any chemicals but 1000's of RVrs do and dump daily into CG septic systems.
Doesn't appear to be an issue at the CGs

Not too long ago in our neck of the California woods, the county Health Dept. required a propsed RV Park to include a dump station in it's design. The dump station was a separate system and was only a holding tank for periodic transfer and disposal at the large regional sewage facility.

The RV park itself had an advanced design re-circulating sand filter disposal system that would not work with the formaldehyde chemicals found in some of the "black tank perfumes". The RV park was to ask anyone coming into the park to dump at the dump station first if they had any chemicals in their tanks.

That made me remember. My inlaws stay at an RV park that requires you can only use their chemicals. They give you little single use packets to put in your tank when you check in. I think it is some Indian Casino if I remember right in Gold counrty

Chris