GL: Canadian Poop - Composting Toilets

[Rob Zanussi]

Hello all. Please forgive the bad pun, but I have the poop on composting
toilets.

I spoke to a S/Sgt with the OPP on this matter. He stated the bottom line
that their
members would take would be, is this vessel dumping treated or untreated
"black water"
into the lake? Since there is no thru hull from the composting toilet to
the hull, the
answer would be no, there is no offence occuring here. 

He also suggested that I speak directly to the manager that Mike originally
received 
that email from and totally explain our position on these toilets. I will
be doing 
that over the next few days. Perhaps even today, if I really get ambitious.

So, that's scoop on poop.

Rob Z




At 05:09 AM 2/24/2009 -0800, M S wrote:
>Below is an email I recieved back regarding composting toilets. Sounds like
>they are illegal. Apparently if they don't have a pump out fitting they are
>considered portable. While I don't blame the gentleman for doing his job and
>Canada is no worse than the US, it goes to show how illogical this issue is.
> 
>Also one last comment on the general issue of heads. I don't think most
>boaters back holding tank and no discharge regulations (at least the
>unreasonable aspects). I suspect this is an issue most boaters quitely
grumble
>about but are afraid to openly question for fear of being labled "non-green."
>I have had a number of situations where talking to 1 or 2 others they
complain
>also, but once these same people get into a larger group they go silent.
> 
>Mike & Tammy
>Valhalla II
> 
>***************
> 
>Regretably, the waters you are proposing to navigate do not allow for
portable
>toilets.  This is a long standing requirement in the Great Lakes region
(where
>the Trent-Severn waterway is located) that vessels with toilets are to be
>fitted with either a holding tank or a marine sanitation device.  Vessels
>outside inland waters can have temporary facilities.