We may not like to talk much about it, but it is a known fact that an RV’s septic system is one of the most important aspects of the RV as a whole. Without a waste disposal method, an RV could not be considered a true trip home.
People can often refer to an RV’s plumbing and sewage system as a sewer system, but the only thing an RV has to do with sewers is when it is connected to a sewer connection that delivers waste directly to a actual sewage system. It’s best to think of an RV’s sewage system as a septic system. The difference between sewer and septic is that sewers are a large waste management system operated by a local jurisdiction, such as a county or city, while septic systems are autonomous. Using this definition, an RV’s system is a septic system.
Basic Components of the RV Septic System
Your particular RV septic system can be simple or more complex, depending on the RV. Let’s take a look at some of the components of an RV septic system in the middle of the road to give you an idea of what you have.
- Sewage or sewage tank – This is the main component of an RV’s septic system. The black water tank contains all the wastewater that comes from your sink, toilet, or shower and all the nasty components that come with it.
- Gray Water Tank: It doesn’t come on every RV, but it’s more popular now than ever. The gray water tank is a holding tank for all liquids whose quality is somewhere between your fresh and black water tanks. The gray water tank can receive water from your sink or shower, that is, water that does not contain waste products such as from your toilet or garbage disposal. Many people are now using their gray water to perform tasks that do not need fresh water, such as washing dishes or even the RV. Gray water is not drinkable.
- Unloading System – May differ from RV to RV but the idea is the same. You connect a sewer hose to your waste tanks to empty them into a sewer connection or dump station. Some high-end models may come with pumps to send that trash, but most use gravity.
Tips for maintaining your RV septic system
Now that we know the basic components of the RV septic system, let’s look at some tips for maintaining a healthy RV septic system.
Enzyme solutions and waste reservoirs
Many RVers use enzymes or chemicals to help break down the waste in their RV tanks. These can be artificial or active crops that digest solid waste within a waste tank. Always make sure that whatever waste storage solution you choose is environmentally friendly.
Some of the RVs are giving back the dirt, so don’t throw a bunch of harsh chemicals and solvents back at it. A good enzyme solution can help maintain a healthy, not-so-smelly RV septic system.
Clean your tanks
Unfortunately, the process of cleaning your tanks is too long for this article. There are some great tips I can give such as waiting until your waste tanks are at least three-quarters full before emptying, always wearing protective gear while cleaning sewage tanks, and always flushing your black water tank first followed by the gray water tank. Regularly washing, cleaning, and sanitizing your tanks is a great way to keep your RV septic system healthy and happy.
This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your RV’s septic system. Use RV forums or talk to other RVers on the ground to find other tips on how to learn and maintain your particular RV’s septic system. A happy septic system will mean a lot happier on and off the road. Learn the ins and outs of your RV’s septic system, learn how to maintain it, and you’ll get the most out of it throughout the life of your RV.
