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Transportable wastewater
containers
In a memo to all Florida County Health Departments, the
Florida Department of Health established a policy for the use of transportable
wastewater containers and cassette type toilets. This decision making
process took the needs of the pop-up camping community into consideration to
make sure we could continue to enjoy the wonderful camping Florida has available
to us.
This policy will remain in effect while the DOH goes through a
full rule making process.
The highlights are:
a. Only water from bathing, hand washing and kitchen sinks may
be transported in transportable wastewater containers.
b. Cassette toilets are approved for the transport of toilet
waste. The description and definition of a "cassette toilet" is
sufficiently broad to cover porta pottis. (IMHO)
c. Campgrounds must agree to their use, have a plan for
cleaning up spills and notify all guests via sings.
d. Transportable wastewater containers can NOT be used to
empty an RV blackwater (toilet waste) tank and transport it to a dump station.
The effective date of this policy is December
3, 2001
I am sure there will be a time lag as campgrounds go through
learning process for this change. If you are planning on camping in
Florida, you may want to carry a copy of the policy with you.
I think the DOH and it's staff are to be commended as they
addressed this issue quickly once it was identified and worked on this
project even during a time that has been stressful for health departments
nationwide. Additionally, the staff of PUT was was a contributor to the
Florida DOH and represented the pop up commuity.
Just as we were quick to e-mail our displeasure with the
situation when it was discovered, we should try to commend those who worked on
this project to it's successful completion.
The employees at the DOH who I am aware of who worked on the
project are:
Gerald Briggs and Eric Grimm
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