It is interesting that I came across this particular thread. Campcollector put out some good information. As the reading went on in the thread every thing from toilet paper to chemicals was mentioned. Being that I am a Waste Water Regulator, some of my work deals with the haulers (honey dippers) and the camp grounds owners. I found this thread very interesting (who else but a plummer would!).
What goes down the toilet is not as much of a concern if the waste is hauled to a Treatment plant
. Most modern toilet papers are made to come apart quite easily and settle in a tank. Paper towels and the like may hang up in your hose and should not be flushed. If that happens well, depending on the sophisication of the collection system--the debris could hang up in your tank/hose or the campground plumbing as well. If the camp ground is using a holding tank, I would'nt be terribly concerned about it floating in the tank. Some campgrounds and/or haulers still field spread septage, more and more of them now haul the wastes to a treatment facility. The Waste Water Treatment faciltiy will take care of any debris in the collection tank. They find everything--litteraly! Condoms and clothing and toys abound, body parts are rare but not unkown.
If the waste is actually going into a septic tank and a seepage system then paper towels, tampons, rubber ducks and so forth get a bit more critical
. Newer systems have basket screens that catch most of the large debris. But the "unflushables" can be a problem.
If you have a concern about chemicals,
just check the labeling. Most are reasonably well researched and can state that they do not damage seepage beds. As for the antifreeze and paper towels that did get through...The Treatment Facility...they can handle most things. Field spread wastes are another story. Generally those wastes are treated with lime and a few haulers inject septic waste, some chemicals may stay toxic.
Do not use formaldehyde for anything. It is a somewhat dangerous substance that no longer has a real use in an RV.
As an aside: One of the Portable Toilet outfits in my area just inquired about using alcohol as a anti freeze to replace a less desireable treatment.
As soon as I get my AS plumbing job done I will have to test a theory about recycled alcohol helping to clean out the waste tank better; I'll know more after a few years of research. Maybe some of you can try it. If your spouse complains just mention it is for research and later on try to remember what the original alcohol source was and which of the many original sources do the best job. This may take decades of research.
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