Recreation Vehicle Waste Disposal in Roadside Rest Septic Tank Systems

摘要

Design criteria were developed for septic tank-leach field systems to treat high-strength waste that may contain toxic substances. High strength, toxic wastes are generated at recreation vehicle (RV) dump stations at roadside rest areas and recreational areas, where spetic tank systems are frequently used for waste treatment. Besides being much stronger than domestic sewage, RV wastes contain toxic preservatives added to the RV waste holding tanks for odor control. Preservatives inhibit degradation of sludge and scum in the septic tank, thereby increasing the net rate of sludge accumulation. Septic tank capacity must be increased over that required for the same flow of domestic waste, on account of the greater quantity of sludge generated from the high strength waste, compounded by the greater net rate of accumulation of sludge due to the toxicity of the waste. Engineering performance criteria were needed for septic tank-leach field systems treating preservative-laden waste. For this purpose, pilot units treating domestic sewage spiked with various concentrations of formaldehyde were monitored.