RV-TRINE - IN THE NEWS |
By Jennifer E. Powell
Chemical treatment of effluent in RV black and gray water holding tanks is fast being recognized as a problem in many RV campgrounds. The chemicals used have been deemed harmful to campers, their pets, and the surrounding environment. In many instances, the chemicals actually prevent the natural break down of solid and fatty wastes. This creates blockage in the filtering system which can lead to over flow in campground septic tanks. For this reason, many RV parks are no longer accepting chemically treated waste into their septic systems. The good news is that with a little education, the problem can be easily rectified.
The main reason for chemical use is odor control. Formaldehyde is one chemical commonly used to control odor. However, formaldehyde is lethal to the naturally occurring bacteria needed for the breakdown of wastes. By killing these bacteria, the formaldehyde actually acts as a preservative to the waste products. This can lead to residue build up in your holding tanks.
Formaldehyde also kills bacteria in the septic system. This can lead to inefficiencies in the processing of waste. Worst case scenarios may be seen after big weekends in which everyone is dumping into the septic system before they go home. Excess solid and fatty wastes mixed with chemically decreased bacterial amounts can cause back clogs and over flow. The result is contamination of septic tank sites and nearby ground water supplies.
Many chemical treatments containing formaldehyde are labeled "biodegradable". This would lead us to believe that the contamination is not a big deal. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Formaldehyde is recognized by the EPA as a probable carcinogen in small doses and as little as 1 oz. is considered lethal for a 150 lb. person (see table 1). Not the sort of thing we want our children and pets playing in while we are enjoying the great outdoors!
TABLE 1
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Active Ingredient
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Threats to Human and Environmental Health
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Bronopol (chemical name:bromo-nitropropane-diol)
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Bacterial Pesticide
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Dowicil (chemical name: 1-(3-chlorallyl)-3,4,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride)
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Bacterial pesticide. (EPA states "Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local sewage treatment plant authority.")
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Formaldehyde (also known as Formalin; degradate of bronopol)
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Kills or retards bacterial growth, recognized by EPA as probable carcinogen (1); moderately toxic to humans (2).
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Glutaraldehyde (also known as embalming fluid)
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Retards bacterial growth and covers sewage odor, eye/inhalation irritant.
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Paraformaldehyde (polymerized formaldehyde)
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Very toxic to humans (3). See formaldehyde.
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Para-dichlorobenzene(common ingredient in mothballs, urinal cakes, and toilet bowl fresheners)
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Known carcinogen (1) and drinking water contaminant; moderately toxic to humans (2).
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(1) Carcinogen: Causes Cancer (2) Lethal dose for 150 lb. person is 1 oz. to 1 pint (3) Lethal dose for 150 lb. person is 1 tsp. to 1 oz
Excerpted from Alert for RV, Boat and Mobile Home Owners and Park Operators about Safe Wastewater Disposal, EPA Publication 909-F-99-002, July 1999.
So what are some better alternatives? There is nutrient enhancement which works, but can create imbalance in sensitive ecological systems and invite potential for harmful algae to flourish. A second option is bacteriologic treatment which is non-harmful and effective, but can be slow to break down waste. The last option, enzymatic treatment seems to be the most effective.
Enzymes, also known as "accelerators", are a natural bi-product of the bacteria that break down wastes. They are complex proteins and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions. Basically put, enzymes break down waste and change it to mainly water and minerals with rapid efficiency.
Used in black and gray water tanks, enzymes change waste to a mineral "sludge" that settles at the bottom of the tank. This sludge is easier to empty, safe for the environment and controls odor. The odor is controlled through break down and settlement of offending particles at the bottom of the tank. A helpful hint is to keep enough water in the tank to cover this "sludge" at all times
There are a lot of enzymatic treatment products on the market for consumers to choose from. Some products definitely work better than others and it is important to choose a good one. Factors to consider are ounce to gallon ratios, extreme temperature variables, and over all odor control. One of the best that we have found is RV-Trine.
Made by Valterra, a long standing provider of RV products, RV-Trine showed the best results in a test conducted out on the open road. Using cat food, a substance similar in chemical make-up to the waste products found in holding tanks, we tested chemical as well as enzyme based products. The pieces of cat food were put into sealed plastic containers along with water and waste treatment products to create miniature "holding tanks". Over the space of two days, the container with RV-Trine had broken down the cat food and settled it on the bottom. The containers with chemical products showed the cat food to be only partially broken down as did some of the other enzymatic products. Try this experiment yourself if you are curious!
Other benefits of RV-Trine are that it takes only 2 ounces per 40 gallon tank, which extends the life of your bottle of treatment. Other enzyme bases can require as much as 8 ounces per 40 gallon tank. RV-Trine also offers powdered and tablet forms of enzyme to use. Basically, it’s a space saver and good for both black and gray water tanks.
Another factor to consider is the maintenance on instruments, seals and valves that enclose tank holding systems. Chemicals can allow build up on instrumentation and eat away at necessary lubricants. This can cause valve seals to fail leading to mess and odor. RV-Trine contains valve lubricants which keep valves working and extend seal life. The enzymatic action works to keep the instruments in the tank clean and clean instruments give reliable readings.
REVIEW:
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I have tried all the black water chemicals around. Most work OK, but I have been especially pleased with RV-Trine. I notice a difference when it is extremely hot out. RV-Trine still killed odors when we camped for a week in 100 degree plus temps. I use it now exclusively and recommend it. - Louis, Rockaway, NJ April, 2003 |
One last set of tips is to empty only when the tanks are full. Typically, a 40 gallon tank will handle about five days of use and waste processing takes time no matter which method you are using. It is important not to move the waste into septic systems until it has begun the decomposition process.
If there are problems with odor, check the slide valve for toilet tissue residue. Make sure the slide valve is clear and be sure to use plenty of water when flushing to help the tissue clear the seal. Water truly is your friend in odor control!
Our environment is a precious resource that we all enjoy. While waste management is not the most pleasant of our camping responsibilities, it is easy to be environment friendly and have a great outdoor experience! Protecting our surroundings now will make a huge difference in the future of our wide open spaces. It can be as simple as choosing a different product from the shelf of your neighborhood RV store. Happy Traveling!