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Do it Yourself Septic Tanks for a Camp

Camping responsibly in an eco-friendly way includes proper disposal of human waste. On certain lands it is permissible to dig a hole 8 inches deep, deposit your waste minus toilet paper and cover the hole back up with the soil removed from the hole during digging. However, there are situations where it is not permissible or practical to dispose of human waste in this manner. In these situations, you will need a portable septic tank. A portable septic tank can be as simple as an elaboration on the chamber pot of days gone by.

Things You'll Need

5-gallon can
Self-sealing lid
Potting soil
Empty food container
Juice bottles

Instructions

- 1
  Find a 5-gallon bucket with a self-sealing lid. Many products are sold in this type of bucket such as paint, chemicals used by farmers and cleaning fluids. This type of bucket is sturdy and comes with a self-sealing lid. The height also makes it comfortable for use as a portable septic tank.
- 2
  Purchase a bag of potting soil or fill a small garbage bag with soil from your garden. Recycle a food can or plastic container to use as a scoop in your bag of soil.
- 3
  Use the 5-gallon bucket for waste deposits excluding urine. Pour a scoop of soil over your deposit each time you use your portable septic tank. Replace the lid on the bucket, but leave the pour-spout cover open and set the bucket outside your tent when not in use. Leaving the pour-spout open will prevent moisture from collecting on the inside of the lid.
- 4
  Save juice containers with screw-on lids. Use these for urine to prevent filling your solid waste septic tank too quickly. Close tightly to avoid leaks. Upon returning to civilization, empty these containers into a regular flush toilet.
- 5
  Upon leaving camp, cap the pour-spout of your portable septic tank bucket. At home, set your bucket in a discreet area and fill the bucket with alternating layers of soil, leaves, grass clippings or other vegetative matter. Replace the lid. Leave the pour-spout closed. Microbes in the soil will begin the decomposition process. In a matter of months, the entire bucket of waste will be compost. Heat build-up during the decomposition process will kill harmful bacteria. Mulch your shrubbery with the compost.

Nature