Caravan toilets: the types, and where to empty them
A cassette toilet has a removable waste tank that you empty at a dump point, a public facility built to take toilet waste.
Caravans can also have a fixed toilet with a floor tank, a composting or separating toilet, or a portable flush toilet.
Published . 7 min read • Technical Guide
- Thetford says to empty a cassette when it is full or starts to smell.
- Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Queensland Parks name dump points for toilet waste.
- Composting and separating toilets still need emptying, under the maker's steps and local rules.
The four types of caravan toilet
The figures below are the makers' own, for the models named. Your van's handbook has the figures for your toilet.
Cassette toilet
The waste tank comes out of the toilet. You carry the tank to a dump point and empty it.
- Thetford C403, waste tank: 19.3 litres
- Dometic CTE 4050, waste tank: 19 litres
Fixed toilet with a floor tank
The waste goes to a tank on or under the floor. The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) self-contained policy sends black water (toilet waste) from holding tanks to a dump point. If no appropriate facility is available, the policy points to its Bush Camping Code.
Composting or separating toilet
In the toilets named here, urine and solids are kept apart and no flush water is used. You empty them yourself, following the maker's steps and local rules.
- Separett Tiny, solids container: 14.5 litres
- Separett Tiny, power: 12V, 1.6W
- Nature's Head, solids: about 60 to 80 uses, depending on conditions
Portable flush toilet
A carry-around toilet with fresh flush water in the top tank and waste in the bottom tank.
- Porta Potti 335, waste tank: 10 litres
- Porta Potti 365, waste tank: 21 litres
How often to empty it
- •Thetford cassette: when it is full or starts to smell. Thetford gives about 4 to 5 days with its Blue products and 3 to 4 days with Green.
- •In hot weather: Thetford says to empty more often above 30 degrees.
- •Dometic cassette: when the indicator lights, take the tank to the nearest designated disposal location.
- •Nature's Head: two full-time users empty the solids about every three weeks, in the guide Zone RV reproduces. Two people may need to empty the urine after 3 to 4 days.
- •Separett Tiny: a household of two using it full time empties the solids after about 2 weeks.
- •Mars Campers OG Origin: empty the urine bottle every 24 to 48 hours, depending on use. The solids take about 25 to 30 uses.
Where to empty a caravan toilet
Empty a cassette at a dump point. Thetford and Dometic both tell owners to use a designated disposal point.
What regulators and councils say
- •Tasmania: the EPA says blackwater and sewage residues go only to a designated dump point.
- •Western Australia: Water Corporation says this waste must go to designated dump point facilities to reach its sewer.
- •Queensland parks: empty chemical toilets at approved dump points, and keep this waste out of the parks' toilets.
- •Western Australia parks: this waste must stay out of campground toilets.
- •New South Wales: Murrumbidgee Council says it is illegal to dump wastewater into the natural environment.
- •South Australia: Alexandrina Council says it is an infringement to put sewerage waste in a public general waste bin or a FOGO bin (food and garden organics).
- Tasmanian EPA: wastewater questions
- Water Corporation: portable toilet waste
- Queensland Parks: camp with care
- WA parks: campground facilities
- Murrumbidgee Council: dump points
- Alexandrina Council: public dump points
Finding a dump point
- •The National Public Toilet Map: WA Health and WA parks both send people to it for dump points.
- •WikiCamps: the app has a dump point filter, and its listings come from users.
- •Caravan parks: MidCoast Council says parks serve their guests or charge a fee.
- •Call first: some councils ask you to. Moira Shire asks you to register for its Numurkah dump point.
- National Public Toilet Map
- WA Health: wastewater dump points
- WikiCamps
- MidCoast Council: dump points
- Moira Shire: Numurkah registration
Emptying a cassette
Follow your toilet's manual. Dometic's manual says:
- •Stand the tank upright, turn the drain pipe up and twist off the cap.
- •Point the pipe down and press the vent button while it drains.
- •Rinse the tank after you drain it.
- •Do not shake the tank vigorously.
- •Do not clean inside it with a high-pressure cleaner.
- •Fill it only three-quarters full if the van will be tilted, because it can overflow through the vent.
West Coast Council in Tasmania says to keep nappies, wipes, food and rubbish out of its dump points.
Chemicals, tablets and toilet paper
Use the additive and paper your toilet's maker names. Thetford and Dometic say this about their own products.
- •Thetford Blue: Thetford says Aqua Kem Blue suits places with proper waste treatment, and is not suitable for septic tanks. One sachet doses a 20 litre waste tank, with 2 to 3 litres of water.
- •Thetford Green: Thetford describes these products as septic tank safe.
- •Dometic tablets: its manual says Power Care and Green Care tablets break down waste and limit odour.
- •Flush water: Thetford's Aqua Rinse Concentrated goes in a separate flush tank, and its Aqua Rinse Spray suits toilets that flush from the van's water tank.
WA Health says chemicals containing formaldehyde can upset the biology of a wastewater system. West Coast Council in Tasmania says additives used at its dump points must be safe for septic systems. Read the label, and store additives away from children, as Dometic's manual says.
Toilet paper
- •Cassette toilets: Thetford, Dometic and West Coast Council all point to fast-dissolving paper. Dometic says conventional paper can clog.
- •Recycled paper: Thetford says it dissolves slowly.
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Septic systems
Ask your council before you empty a cassette into a home septic system. Thetford says Aqua Kem Blue is not suitable for septic tanks, and it sells its Green products for them.
Federation Council in New South Wales warns septic owners about chemicals that kill the helpful bacteria in the system. WA Health does not recommend having a dump point together with an onsite wastewater system.
Where composting toilet waste goes
These three makers set their own steps, and each tells owners to check local rules. Ask your council before you use a bin.
Thetford separation toilets
Thetford says urine can go into any regular toilet, and its bags of solid waste can go with residual waste (general rubbish). It says to check local laws.
Separett Tiny
The manual runs the urine hose to a grey water drain, external infiltration, an external container or another approved solution. Solids go to an approved compost or incinerator, or rest for at least 12 months in a ventilated container with soil, then go to compost. It says to consult your local environmental office.
Mars Campers OG Origin
Mars Campers says to empty urine at an appropriate disposal point under local guidelines. Solids can go to landfill in a compostable bag under local rules, or to a dedicated compost for 6 to 12 months, kept away from edible plants. Burial is an option only if permitted.
Toilets and free camping
Some camps need you to carry your own toilet, so read the rules for each camp before you go.
- •Western Australia parks: some campgrounds need a portable, self-contained toilet that can be emptied into a dump station. Buckets are not suitable, toilet chemical bags are not permitted, and it must be a sealed unit.
- •Burnie, Tasmania: the overnight area at Cooee Point Reserve is for vehicles with their own water, internal washing and toilet facilities, and an on-board waste water tank, or a current CMCA self-contained panel.
- •CMCA: its self-contained vehicle policy names a toilet. A portable toilet must be a proprietary brand and secured for travel.
Common questions
How often do you empty a caravan toilet?
Thetford says to empty a cassette when it is full or starts to smell. That is about 4 to 5 days with its Blue products and 3 to 4 days with Green. It says to empty more often above 30 degrees.
Can you empty a cassette into a home septic system?
Ask your council first. Thetford says Aqua Kem Blue is not suitable for septic tanks, and it sells its Green products for them.
Can you empty a cassette into your home toilet?
Ask your water utility or council first. Water Corporation in WA says this waste holds many times the organic content of normal household wastewater. It says this waste must go to designated dump point facilities to reach its sewer.
Can you use normal toilet paper in a caravan toilet?
Dometic says conventional paper can clog its cassette toilets and to use fast-dissolving paper. Thetford says recycled paper dissolves slowly.
What chemicals do you use in a caravan toilet?
A waste tank additive, as a sachet, liquid or tablet. The toilet's maker names the types for its toilets. Thetford sells Blue for places with proper waste treatment, and Green for septic tanks.
Do composting toilets need a dump point?
It depends on the toilet and the place. Thetford says its separation toilets can be emptied without a fixed dump point, and to check local laws. WA parks need a toilet that can be emptied into a dump station at campgrounds that require one.
Can you use bags in a caravan toilet?
Some places say no. WA parks do not permit toilet chemical bags and need a sealed unit. Thetford's separation toilets prefer their own bags for solid waste, and Thetford says to check local laws.
Vans with a toilet inside
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