Waste treatment for tented camping

[Grass And Grain]

Looking into viability of certificated site for tented camping. Large, high quality insulated yurt or safari type tents.

I'm thinking the structures will be much more desirable and better occupancy if they have their own toilet, shower etc.

How have people managed drainage and effluent treatment? Will this require planning permission, or has amyone built some sort of system (maybe above ground) which doesn't require permission?

 

[delilah]

We have a compost toilet, you are perched above a 240 litre wheely bin into which you throw sawdust after use. If going high end you may want something smarter, but you can build these to be as swish as you like and people like quirky to an extent.

 

[stroller]

Looks very smart, how many people/days does 1 barrel last and what do you do when its full, empty and replace or swap barrels?

 

[deleted user 837354]

Do you really really want to be fudging about with composting loos?

Septic tank and pay a waste company to take it away one a season, surely?

 

[Grass And Grain]

Hadn't considered a composting loo. Certainly an option.

Do you have showers or sink water to deal with @delilah ? If so, what do you do with that?

 

[delilah]

Looks very smart, how many people/days does 1 barrel last and what do you do when its full, empty and replace or swap barrels?

Trick is to throw a good shovelful of woodchip in once a week, as well as the shavings that folks put in when they use it, that way you keep it aerobic and no smells. Managed properly a compost toilet is much more pleasant than a chemical toilet. When it's half full just swap for an empty bin. Leave it stood for a good period of time, with the lid propped open but not fully open else it fills with rain. Empty and use humanure in non-edibles area such as hedge mulch. Ours is only in use for daytime volunteers not overnight stayers so couldn't say how often would need to swap in a camping environment, but would last a fair while and so long as got a handful of wheely bins can't see a problem.

Hadn't considered a composting loo. Certainly an option.

Do you have showers or sink water to deal with @delilah ? If so, what do you do with that?

Ours is just sink water . Neighbour has copied the toilet and built a double unit with shower in the other cubicle for his yurt campsite, will take photos.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Thank you.

 

[bobk]

Do it once , do it right .

 

[delilah]

Folks love it, its a tale to tell when they get home.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Thanks. Smart, I like it.

 

[delilah]

https://natsol.co.uk/

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Sewage_Solutions.html?id=3FgFAAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toilet-Papers-Recycling-Waste-Conserving/dp/1890132586

 

[deleted user 837354]

I've no problem with it per se, but from a long term, practical point of view I see more downsides than upsides.

For starters, it looks great now in the dry but after a few years of use when people have been paddling in there with wet/muddy shoes on? It's wood which for all the love in the world you can't 'clean' the same as a conventional bathroom. I know it's hardly an issue for many of us here who regularly pee in the hedge and think nothing of it but not everyone is so rustic.

I'm, looking at it more from a quality of life attitude and long term customer expectations and considerations. If you are serious about going into hospitality then a dedicated shower and loo block for your fishing lake is a sound investment. Park a washing/drying room and milk vending machine in the other end.

 

[Exfarmer]

I really cannot believe you would leave that ply untreated!
it is soon goingnto look rather unpleasant and probably will start to lift, especially if you have a few little boys using it, and a lot of big boys too!
last time I used one of those in New Zealand, on a hot day and absolutely desperate, I did not need any directions to find it!

 

[delilah]

I really cannot believe you would leave that ply untreated!

They have only just got it finished to be functional in time for first campers, will be spending the winter on finishing touches.

 

[delilah]

I've no problem with it per se, but from a long term, practical point of view I see more downsides than upsides.

For starters, it looks great now in the dry but after a few years of use when people have been paddling in there with wet/muddy shoes on? It's wood which for all the love in the world you can't 'clean' the same as a conventional bathroom. I know it's hardly an issue for many of us here who regularly pee in the hedge and think nothing of it but not everyone is so rustic.

I'm, looking at it more from a quality of life attitude and long term customer expectations and considerations. If you are serious about going into hospitality then a dedicated shower and loo block for your fishing lake is a sound investment. Park a washing/drying room and milk vending machine in the other end.

As I said at the top it's not for everyone, it all depends on your target audience. Have a look at the natsol website, they have been putting systems in for many years, in situations where mains or septic would be problematic it is a good solution.

 

[Exfarmer]

They have only just got it finished to be functional in time for first campers, will be spending the winter on finishing touches.

Still rather think I would have given it a good coat of yacht varnish first

 

[TripleSix]

Thunderbox Compost Toilets – Sustainably sourced compost toilets made to order

thunderboxes2go.co.uk

 

[br jones]

As I said at the top it's not for everyone, it all depends on your target audience. Have a look at the natsol website, they have been putting systems in for many years, in situations where mains or septic would be problematic it is a good solution.

Is that legal ? In the covid day and age the surfaces dont exactly look wipable and hygenic ?

 

[delilah]

Is it legal to have wooden surfaces in a toilet ? No idea. Ask Natsol. A question for you; Why is it legal to use potable water to flush sh!t away ?

 

[steveR]

Folks love it, its a tale to tell when they get home.

One hell of a lot more appealing than the portable units we see and use at Shows etc