Community Forums

Dutch Star Don · 11-14-2015, 08:54 PM

New York has had a few documentaries on how wet wipes are just destroying their sewer systems. We have macerator toilets and a SaniCon macerator dump. The wet wipes don't play well with macerators. I'm not big on government intervention, but I wouldn't have an issue with wet wipes being prohibited or made to be more biodegradable.

CampDaven · 11-14-2015, 09:03 PM

If it fits down the pipe and is smaller than poo, no worries.
JK folks!
But stuff down the toidy like wet wipes will flow out just fine. I don't have need of them, thank goodness. But folks will flush them.
So what is the answer? Do the sewer plants need macerators?

TeJay · 11-14-2015, 09:26 PM

I have tried the water in the jar and a 15 second shake test on some, "Septic Safe" TP and it did not break down. This is so simple. Just because it says septic safe does not mean it will break down.

One time (for 4 days) we accidentally used the stuff that didn't break down in the jar and it clogged up the black tank. However the tank is set up the paper piled up at the bottom and stuff was backing up. It took three flushes and a 150 mile trip home to break it up enough to get it out.

Why did we use the wrong TP? The DW thought she had the same brand we had used before which did pass the water test. She still thought she had the correct TP because it also said, "Septic Safe" on the package.

Do the water/jar shake test and if it fails don't use it.

TeJay

SkiSmuggs · 11-15-2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

Is there any TP that isn't safe for septic systems? I don't pay much attention to which TP I buy at home. Just had my tank pumped after at least 10 years, guy said it was in amazing shape.

Charmin! At least the regular kind. My DW loved it and our septic clogged at the inlet less than 2 years after the last pump out. The septic guy didn't know what caused it but said it wasn't typical. Then Consumer Reports had a TP rating and Charmin was low on the list because of its failure to break down. We switched to some of the higher rated TP and the problem was solved. We gave away large bundles of Charmin to a friend on city sewer. Yeah, Costco! LOL
That said, Charmin has a new version rated septic safe. DW started buying it again, but I still don't like it.

TeJay · 11-15-2015, 07:43 AM

I don't think we are cautious regarding the TP in the septic system. I do know this. It's a 1,000 gallon tank with 30 years of use and it's never been pumped. I'm thinking if it's installed correctly it never needs drained or pumped. Septic tanks work when full and work very well if installed correctly with plenty of lateral lines.

Again, do the water/jar/shake test and if it won't break down after a 15 second shake then don't use it either in the septic or RV. Better safe than plugged up.

TeJay

spritz · 11-15-2015, 07:59 AM

We used TP marked for septic safe.
W also bought one of these and it works superbly
https://images5.campingworld.com/Cam.../14496nnew.jpg
JMO,
Tim

SkiSmuggs · 11-15-2015, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritz

We used TP marked for septic safe.
W also bought one of these and it works superbly
https://images5.campingworld.com/Cam.../14496nnew.jpg
JMO,
Tim

My old eyes aren't what they used to be. I assume that is a back flush attachment? If so, that should be the way to correct some wrongs.

scottandanna · 11-15-2015, 09:59 AM

Our black tank has a fresh water inlet on the outside of the trailer, so when we are at the dump, we run fresh water in through a hose. We also have the clear elbow at the dump valve.

We have only camped 3 times, so far, and the first two times I did not have the clear elbow, and just flushed fresh water through for about 2 or 3 minutes.

This last time, I ran fresh water in for almost 15 minutes! I would have kept going but I had someone behind me in line waiting to use the dump station.

I was thoroughly amazed at how long "stuff" comes out while running the fresh water through it.

From now on I will be flushing it hard and long to be sure everything is dumped.

Clay L · 11-15-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Our local sewer district says NO wipes!! Even if they say "Safe for septic systems". They do not dissolve and then clog up the filters which have to be cleaned by hand.

"NO wipes!! Even if they say "Safe for septic systems"

Same here in Palisade, CO

mwwade · 11-18-2015, 03:50 PM

Consumer Reports says Scotts tp has the best break down.

Dr4Film · 02-10-2016, 06:17 AM

I guess I am the "black sheep" of the RV lifestyle because I have been using biodegradable wet wipes ever since they came out. I purchase the ones distributed by Costco in their Kirkland brand. They are 100% safe for well maintained sewer and septic systems and made from plant based materials.

Presently, I do not use a Sanicon macerator dump system but own a portable one for situations where I need to dump long distances or dump uphill. To date I have not needed it.

I always use a high quality 3 inch dump hose that will dump 100 gallons of black and gray in less than one minute.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

scottandanna · 02-10-2016, 06:26 AM

As for TP, we came across an article through pinterest, I think, where a guy did the wet-and-shake test on some inexpensive brands, and found that Walmarts Great Value Ultra Strong was one of the best at breaking down, so we now use it in home and trailer. Very well priced, and seems to break down quickly, but almost as nice to use as the Charmin or other "high end" papers.

The kleenex hand towels we use clearly say "Do Not Flush" so we have stopped flushing them both at home and in the trailer.

And to be honest, the house we live in has a very old antique septic system, and we finally paid to have it upgraded to a new and modern aerobic system. When they pumped the tank, guess what most was sitting at the bottom...three years worth of paper.

The installer told us "No wet wipes, period." and said that is the main cause of septic system failures.

barmcd · 02-10-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

Is there any TP that isn't safe for septic systems? I don't pay much attention to which TP I buy at home. Just had my tank pumped after at least 10 years, guy said it was in amazing shape.

Most TP is safe for septic systems. Northern and Charmin say so right on the package.

barmcd · 02-10-2016, 09:55 AM

The issue isn't your black tank, but whatever the dump station uses to dispose of the waste. Many septic systems today aren't the traditional tank with lateral lines. The one in our house is aerobic and uses an air pump and motor to aerate the first tank. Handi wipes could burn up the mixing motor.