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6031277 
Journal Article 
Treatability of recreational vehicle wastewater in septic systems at highway rest areas 
Benjamin, MM; Brown, CA; Ferguson, JF; Kiernan, KE 
1984 
1 
Transportation Research Record
ISSN: 0361-1981
EISSN: 2169-4052 
995 
1-10 
In the U.S. many service areas had facilities for toilet emptying from recreational vehicles such as caravans and motor homes. Chemical toilet additives containing formaldehyde were often used. The wastewater from 72 vehicles was collected to determine average values for the volume, composition of waste and formaldehyde concentrations. The implications for the treatment of recreational vehicle septic tank water are considered. There were large variations in waste strength but in general it was a high. Biochemical oxygen demand averaged 3110 mg per litre, total suspended solids 3120 mg per litre, volatile suspended solids 2460 mg per litre and formaldehyde 170 mg per litre. Formaldehyde concentrations in recreational vehicle septic tank water and drainfield water were 5 to 10 mg per litre. In addition to hydraulic residence time, it was recommended that sludge and scum accumulation and pumpout interval should be considered when sizing septic tanks for recreational vehicle effluent because of the high concentration of suspended solids and formaldehyde which might inhibit anaerobic digestion of sludge and scum. An accumulation model was developed based on a declining rate of degradation where some organic material in sludge was readily degradable and compactible, some degradable with extended residence times, and some inert. 
Modelling (-general-); Aqualine Abstracts