Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
TOILET STRUCTURES
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
ACCESSIBILITY
HEALTH AND SAFETY
COLLECTION OPTIONS
CAT HOLE
CARRYOUT
PIT TOILET
DRUM PRIVY (TRANSPORTABLE VAULT)
COMPOST
DEHYDRATING TOILETS
LOW VOLUME FLUSH TOILETS
TRANSPORTATION
FLY OUT
PACKING OUT
SEWAGE TREATMENT
MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
FOREST SERVICE OWNED AND OPERATED TREATMENT PLANTS
SEPTIC TANKS
BATCH COMPOSTERS
LAND APPLICATION
TRENCHING OR BURIAL
INCINERATION
SUMMARY
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
REMOTE WASTE MANAGEMENT
Managing human waste in backcountry and wilderness areas is a difficult problem. Heavy use of remote areas results in problems ranging from odor and visual nuisance to environmental pollution and health hazards. Managing human waste to eliminate these problems in areas without roads is challenging.
This management problem is not unique to the USDA Forest Service. All agencies that manage backcountry areas must manage remote human waste problems.
INTRODUCTION
This report is a compilation of several methods currently used to manage remote waste. Many factors affect the suitability of each option for a specific site, such as available funds, visitor expectations, site sensitivity, maintenance, level of usage, and wilderness designation. Many of these waste management methods are not appropriate for front country (accessible by road) waste management. Forest Plans, Land Use Plans, Agency or Unit policy, and State Clean Water and Non-point Pollution Control Plans may limit the management options available. This report does not address systems suitable only to small, remote, staffed ranger stations or fire watch towers.