California proposes ban on holding tank chemicals

[TandW]

Thoughtless users and takers. California needs to ban them also!!

[GOLDWINGER2]

Originally Posted by Route 66

We're getting off topic.

Let's stay on topic, please.

Originally Posted by dajudge

In California, what aint fruit or nuts are flake.

.....crunch....crunch.....crunch......they are just jokin'
J from CA

[darbyjudy]

I just wonder how you handle the smell when you don't use any chemicals. I use a lot of the COE campgrounds and usually spend 14 days at a time. Our black water tank will last the 14 days but when it is hot in the Summer the smell get to us. We had tried several types of chemicals but the only one we have found to be really good is Happy Camper. I don't know what it consists of but I do know one thing it keeps the smeel down and is doesn't smell like a perfume.

[mudpuppy]

Originally Posted by darbyjudy

I just wonder how you handle the smell when you don't use any chemicals. I use a lot of the COE campgrounds and usually spend 14 days at a time. Our black water tank will last the 14 days but when it is hot in the Summer the smell get to us. We had tried several types of chemicals but the only one we have found to be really good is Happy Camper. I don't know what it consists of but I do know one thing it keeps the smeel down and is doesn't smell like a perfume.

I also wonder.

We can run up to a week or more prior to dumping the tank using only enough water to flush do to limited resources. I will use any thing that will kill the smell and break down the solids while not hurting my tanks regardless of the chemical makeup.

[bdpreece]

It's odd that some people seem to have problems with odors and others don't. Since I found that the vents in my roof were not extended all the way beyond the roof line and then installed the Cyclone vents; I have not had a need to use any chemicals and have noticed no odors.

[Norm4015]

Due to the holdings of black tanks, they will smell. But the smell should not enter the RV. The black tank sould be sealed from the RV with the only opening being the roof vent. I have been RVing since 1972 and spent over ten years fulltiming before becoming a part timer. I have never used chemicals or anything in the black tank and I have never noticed an odor in the RV. Well, every now and then I forget to turn off the vent fan when I flush and I get an odor.

My wife and I have spent hundreds of days boondocking in the hot west and often go 10-14 days between emptying the holding tanks. Still with the delays in dumping and the hot weather we have never had an odor - not once. If your black tank smell is entering the RV you need to find the source of leak and fix it.

[mudpuppy]

Originally Posted by Norm4015

If your black tank smell is entering the RV you need to find the source of leak and fix it.

My source of the leak is the 3" hole when you pull the valve to dump the bowl.

That being said it is not every time we are out so maybe we need to alter our diet.

[autofish]

I wonder how many of us do not use chemicals in our tanks? I never have and have not had one problem in 40 years of rving.

[Knotdodger]

We don't use chemicals. So far we've not had a problem.

[bdpreece]

I do carry one bottle of non formaldehyde chemicals to show at the campgrounds that ask because they never seem to want to believe me when I say we don't use chemicals.

[SSteve]

I stopped using chemicals in the black tank 18 months ago based on advice from folks in this forum with WAY more experience than I.

All I can say is, I'll never use them again. No sewer or "chemical smell", period. I think I minded the chemical odor more than the sewer odor. We dump then flush 1 minute, close the black dump valve, flush 1 minute, open the valve then repeat twice more (flush it, flush it good). Then dump the gray. No muss or fuss. Easy. Cheap too.

For those who may think this uses too much water--perhaps. Then again, the water without those chemicals eventually returns to the supply nice and squeaky clean.

Steve

[Ray,IN]

Unenforceable/unenforced laws only breed contempt for the rule of law in general. The only thing I use in my black tank is water, and occasionally an enzyme additive(RidX) to keep everything liquid in there. Many of the "formaldehyde-free" holding tank products sold contain a complexed formaldehyde.
As Lori said, read the labels. Search for any ingredient you do not recognize, and read the MSDS every retailer must provide upon request.

[Wayne M]

Yuk! Can you imagine being the dog trainer?

[wa8yxm]

In many areas some chemicals are already banned.

I have long been telling folks WATER ONLY.. it is the very best chemical

Ok, A bit of Calgon (Water softener) and Dawn regular (Dishwahsing liquid) on the last trip of the season but otherwise.. Just water.