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Apologies if this is a stupid question (first caravan being picked up on Sunday) but if you go to a CL or any site that just has basic facilities and no specific toilet disposal facility, I assume it is ok to just empty your chemical toilet into a normal toilet?

It depends what chemical you're using in your chemical toilet, and what kind of sewage system the site toilet is connected to.

Mind you, I'd expect "basic facilities" on any campsite, and certainly at a CL in the UK, to include proper chemical disposal. Basic means a fresh water tap and a "chemical closet" at the least.

Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 23/9/2009

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It depends what chemical you're using in your chemical toilet, and what kind of sewage system the site toilet is connected to.

Mind you, I'd expect "basic facilities" on any campsite, and certainly at a CL in the UK, to include proper chemical disposal. Basic means a fresh water tap and a "chemical closet" at the least.

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Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 23/9/2009

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When the chemical contained formaldehyde you had to be more particular. Now most toilet chemicals are formaldehyde-free and biodegradable, so it's unlikely to be a problem, but it's worth checking.

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Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009

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We've been to one or two places where we've been told to empty it in a hole at the bottom of the field.

Yes, the toilet, not the grey water.

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Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009

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We've been to one or two places where we've been told to empty it in a hole at the bottom of the field.

Yes, the toilet, not the grey water.

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I'd have thought that that's probably illegal. Disposal of sewage into a hole in the ground risks contamination of the ground water - especially if it's a regular event connected to a campsite.

And just to clarify what I wrote above - the emptying of chemical toilets into septic tanks was always considered a no-no in the days of formaldehyde, as it killed the bugs in the tank that made that system work. Emptying into a normal mains sewage system, where there's lots of water to dilute the chemical, was never a problem and in these days of biodegradable chemicals either option is OK.  

However, another thought is that emptying a chemical toilet cassette can be a pretty messy business and the "flow" from a full cassette could easily overwhelm a domestic toilet. I wouldn't want anyone to do it into the loo in my bathroom!

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 23/9/2009

Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009We've been to one or two places where we've been told to empty it in a hole at the bottom of the field.

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Yes, the toilet, not the grey water.

....but is that by a site that have no loos anyway?  Or do they have loos?

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Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 23/9/2009

Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009We've been to one or two places where we've been told to empty it in a hole at the bottom of the field.

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Yes, the toilet, not the grey water.

....but is that by a site that have no loos anyway?  Or do they have loos?

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I am referring to farmers fields where we have been on rallies that have had no facilities except a tap (not near the hole).

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I can appreciate this being necessary.  My question stemmed from an earlier comment.  If there were ordinary loos, then generally speaking, I would have thought there would be no problem in emptying a caravan toilet down one of the loos if there was no chemical disposal point.  This is why I asked for clarification.

Best wishes.

Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 23/9/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 23/9/2009

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We've been to one or two places where we've been told to empty it in a hole at the bottom of the field.

Yes, the toilet, not the grey water.

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I'd have thought that that's probably illegal. Disposal of sewage into a hole in the ground risks contamination of the ground water - especially if it's a regular event connected to a campsite.

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You may well be right Viggo.  I have to say that I have had no experience of having to empty a chemical toilet into a hole in the ground.  We normally go on sites where we have water hook-up as well and have never used a site without 'facilities'.    We tend to like the mod-cons!!