Composting toilets and Australian regulations?

[Dane Hunnerup]

Just doing my research and came across this in the Vehicle Standards Guide:
"Toilets, sinks and showers
Any toilet or urinal installed in a motorhome must:
• empty into an externally vented tank which is securely attached to the motorhome. Systems that discharge
directly to the ground are prohibited
• discharge into a tank that contains non-inflammable and non-irritant chemicals which form an efficient
deodorant and germicide. The tank must vent directly to the atmosphere."

Does this mean we can't legally use vehicle composting toilets in Australia?

[Robin97396]

Systems that discharge directly to the ground are prohibited? There goes my slide out bathroom.

It sounds like you're reading the regulations exactly right, requiring an external tank that is deodorized and vented.

Composting toilets may not have been considered when those rules were made. About all you can do is use the composting toilet and challenge the regulations if it ever gets that far legally.

[Deezl Smoke]

Your best bet would be to contact your regulators directly with your question.
Nowhere in your opening statement did it say no composting toilets or other containment toilets. Only that toilets that "empty" must do so into a tank.

In other words, the way "I read" it, it refers to water flush toilets that are the norm for homes and mobile living quarters. These toilets empty when used. Therefore, the written text states the contents of the toilet must empty into a tank that is appropriately designed for such content and use.

That's my opinion.

[Dog Rescuer]

I am not legal expert - but according to the wording - a composting toilet is okay. Because it does have a tank of it's own and, since it should be vented, seems perfectly legit.

I would certainly double check with a "RV Police"

[PNW_Steve]

You may want to ask these folks: Nature Loo | Composting Waterless Toilets | Environmentally Friendly - Nature Loo | Environmental Waste and Wastewater Management Systems

They are an Australian company that manufactures composting toilets and will likely have an handle on the legal in's & out's regarding their use in various applications.


Edit: Another interesting read regarding composting toilets in RV's in Australia: http://www.caravancampingsales.com.a...-toilet-50620/

[Rameses]

What's to stop you from saying there's no toilet?


"That? No, that's not a toilet. That's a waste basket with a toilet seat for a lid as a joke.

If you need to use a toilet, I'd suggest walking to that building over there and using theirs.

(Now excuse me while I defecate in my trash can.)"

[Versatile]

It says installed. Not bolted down the no problem.