Monday, February 11, 2008

Alternatives to Flush Toilets and Septic Systsems - A Guide

Information is available on the Internet for anyone researching alternatives to flush toilets, septic systems and hookup. Most of these products and technologies have been designed to address one or both of the two central problems presented by flushing away human waste.

Problem one is the use of water to flush waste. A single flush can use up to eight gallons of water, with a household of four people using more than two hundred gallons a day just to flush the toilet. Low-flow toilets address this problem by reducing the amount of water used and increasing the velocity of the flush. Waterless toilets eliminate the use of water altogether.

Problem two is when the ground cannot properly handle human waste at a given site or in a given watershed area that would otherwise use a septic system. Categories of products and systems addressing this problem include advanced treatment systems, microbiotic treatment systems, portable potties, holding tanks, lagoon systems, evaportranspiration systems, chemical toilets, digestor tanks, composting toilets, incinerating toilets and evaporative toilets.

Advanced treatment systems and microbiotic treatment systems improve on septic systems. With more treatment the waste is turned into a safer discharge, doing on site what waste treatment plants do for sewage.

portable toilets/chemical toilets simply collect the waste in small tanks that have a substantial amount of liquid chemicals pre-loaded for the purpose of killing pathogens and controlling odor. The tanks are then pumped and trucked away for disposal or drained into septic systems or sewers. Variations of these are also used in RV's, boats, trains and planes.

Holding tanks are large tanks sunk into the ground. They are pumped periodically and are typically used for large public facilities such as rest stops and public parks.

Lagoon systems are ponds that collect sewage. Solids settle to the bottom of the pond and the liquids evaporate. These are widely used by small towns, campgrounds, resort areas, recreation areas and clusters of homes.

Evapotranspiration systems put liquid waste out on top of the ground for evaporation as well as absorption by trees, shrubs, plants and grass.

Digestor tanks collect and break down all waste and trash, producing both methane gas that can be used for fuel, and humus.

Composting toilets collect human waste and turn it into humus.

Incinerating toilets burn the waste, reducing it to a fine ash.

Evaporating toilets evaporate the waste. Depending on the methodology, these either reduce or eliminate the amount of waste needing to be pumped.

Three factors figure into the evaluation process of these products and systems. They are appropriateness, cost of system and cost of operating.

Is the system appropriate? Systems requiring water won't work where there is no running water or the ground won't perc. Systems not allowed by the local codes also get ruled out unless a waiver is granted. (In many cases a waiver will be granted.) Systems too small or too large for the anticipated usage should be ruled out. Systems that cannot stand up to local conditions, such as freezing, or to intermittent use such as seasonal cabins, would also be ruled out. For example, aerobic systems that spray treated waste need a constant supply of waste to treat because otherwise the bacteria they require will not multiply sufficiently to do the job.

cost. In computing costs of a system be sure to factor in labor and any additional material required, such as sand or gravel. With septic systems the greater the amount of leech lines required, the greater willl be the amount of needed land and the cost of the leech lines.

Operational costs. How much power, chemicals and system maintenance will be required? Are there pumping and disposal fees? Do any components need periodic replacing? How long will the system last? Can the system be left unattended and unused for extended periods of time without needing servicing to start up and resume proper functioning? Does the system need to be winterized?

Most professionals in the sanitation industry will tell you that proper sanitation can be provided for any situation. But remember, the advice is no better than the information you provide. So, ask and seek, don't be bashful!

Losoncy is the president of clean Up America, Inc., a company that markets a new type of evaporative sanitation system known as the Eloo. To learn more about Eloos go to

http://www.ElOO.US

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Jamaica Golf Resorts

The Caribbean is a popular vacation choice and Jamaica is one of the easier locations to get to in the Caribbean. Jamaica is about two and a half hours away from miami and has a number of popular airlines flying in from North america. A much sought-after cruise destination, Jamaica also has well known ocean liners such as the Carnival, celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean carrying starry-eyed passengers to and from.

Jamaica has innumerable world-class golf courses, including the Caribbean's oldest golf course. Most of the golf courses are situated in and around resorts, making them convenient to locate. Jamaican golf courses vary in difficulty and given the island's multitude of golf courses, finding one to suit every level of player skill and ability should be an easy task.

Some of Jamaica's best courses such as Caymanas in Kingston, the Half moon golf club, Ironshore, the Tryall Golf club and the Wyndham Rose hall resort in the Montego Bay area are all 18-hole courses designed by some of the best architects in the world. For a more leisurely 9-hole course the Discovery Bay or the Mandeville golf courses are popular choices.

You may have to be 25 to drive a car in Jamaica but driving ranges and practice putting areas in the golf resorts are all for catching you young and watching you grow. Most of the golf resorts offer family packages where kids get to play free and even have training sessions to improve their game.

Jamaica golf Resorts, like most of their counterparts in other places offer superb golfing facilities and a host of other activities to keep the whole family entertained. So you can go ahead and spend guilt-free days at the links knowing for sure that your family is deliriously happy, enjoying the wide-range of attractions this island has to offer.

Golf Resorts provides detailed information on Golf Resorts, Florida golf Resorts, arizona golf Resorts, Caribbean golf Resorts and more. golf Resorts is affiliated with Online Golf Games.

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