When you enjoy boating in fresh waters, it’s your responsibility to keep it clean. To avoid direct sewage discharge from your boat, there are specific rules and provisions to follow, depending upon where you are boating. If in waters governed by the United States one must abide by the Clean Water Act. Waste Management Systems, such as the ones offered by Raritan are the best options to treat black and grey water, prior to it being deposited into a holding tank.
The holding tank is a vital component of the boat’s waste management and plumbing system of your boat. It is a large container made from steel, fiberglass, or plastic, which collects and stores wastewater and solids. Regular pumping and cleaning of the holding tank are necessary for preventing the build-up of odors, germs, and other unsanitary conditions.
This is a long-term investment, so it’s best to consider a few things before choosing to place a holding tank for your boat. Here are a few things –
- There are hundreds of sizes available for holding tanks for boats. You need to select the tank size, based on the maximum number of people that can be on board at one time and the maximum time they could stay on the boat. The availability of space for mounting it in the bilge of the boat is a crucial factor to be considered before finalizing the tank size.
- The holding tanks size also indicates the storage capacity which depends upon some factors. For example, available or optimal pumping service frequency and daily sewage flow determine the required storage capacity of a holding tank.
- The material from which the holding tank is made plays an essential role in its functioning. Choose holding tanks made from materials compatible with the type of waste being stored in them. Preventing unintended interactions between the tank material and the waste products is necessary.
- Installing the holding tank as close to the toilet as possible. However, if you install the tank close to or below the waterline, you will need a pump to discharge at sea and gravity discharge is the only option if you fit the tank above the waterline.
- Another vital thing to consider is odor control in the holding tank. Maintaining an utterly odor-free system is possible if you know the sewage management principles and how to incorporate them. For example, you can use a bio-active treatment for the holding tank to control the odor, such as Raritan’s K.O. Kills Odors.
- Another factor contributing to odor control is the material from which the tank is made. For example, the tanks made from polyethylene are generally less prone to retaining odors when compared to the tanks made from stainless steel or aluminum.
- Vent line of the holding tank is one more aspect to check since it is the key to odor control. This vent line should allow fresh air to exchange for the carbon dioxide generated due to the sewage. It is better to have a short, straight, and horizontal vent line with no sags, arches, and bends.
- Cleaning of the holding tank is an essential task that needs to be performed periodically, avoiding the build-up of sludge both in the fittings and walls of the holding tank. You can use Raritans C.H. Clean Hoses to clean your hoses leading to the holding tank as it is non-toxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous, and safe.
- The pumping frequency depends on usage and tank size and needs to be monitored. As stated earlier, this will depend upon the number of people on the boat and the length of time of the voyage.
- While selecting a holding tank for your boat, consider the installation of a tank monitor. Raritan’s Tank Monitor is the best holding tank monitor in the market today. Since the components are mounted outside the tank, there is no need for special tank fittings. In addition, there are no moving parts in the tank monitor, and there is no need to maintain internally mounted tank sensors.
- When you are preparing your boat for off-season storage, be sure to drain your holding tanks of any waste to prevent damage caused by toxic build-up or freezing temperatures.
If you are planning on getting or replacing a holding tank for your boat, contact us at Raritan Engineering Company, Inc., and check out our holding tanks and other products for marine sanitation.