Toilet fixing and more

We are waiting for a new toilet pump.  As we have suffered along with a smelly head for a couple of months.  Drew started reading about toilets and how other sailors maintain them.  Some replace the whole toilet every year because it's just easier and then everything works.   You'd think, like at home, you'd install a toilet for life.  Not on a boat.  More boat bucks.

There are 4 types of boat toilets we can choose from.  The most common is the manual pump type that we have.  You go, then hand pump it into a holding tank (we had to replace our aluminum tank a couple years ago because it leaked. We replaced it with half inch polypropylene.)  Holding tanks now are required to be emptied about once a week by a marina or pump out boat.  The waste goes to waste treatment plants.  There are electric flush, vacuum flush and composting toilets that you change once a month.  Electric flush can have side by side waste treatment that then can be directly pumped to the ocean since it's been treated already.

The pump out requirement or no discharge became law and included a restriction from dumping waste into the oceans. In October 1972, Congress enacted the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), sometimes referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act, declaring that it is the policy of the United States to regulate the dumping of all materials which would adversely affect human health, welfare or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems or economic potentialities.  In 1988 they added no burning of waste off shore.  Permits are needed to dump anything even dredged materials from waterways.
Sewage regulations are some of the most misunderstood boating laws. To be clear, it is ILLEGAL to discharge UNTREATED sewage on inland waters and within 3 miles of shore. To legally dispose of sewage boaters must either have an on-board treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore. A No Discharge Zone (NDZ) further prohibits the discharge of treated boat sewage.

• Within NDZ boundaries, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage discharges on-board for disposal at sea (beyond three miles from shore) or onshore at a pumpout facility.

So this is all good for a cleaner environment.  The Coast Guard monitors by boarding boats and checking holding tanks.  The EPA gives out the permits for those who are allowed to dump dredged material only.

Here's Drew starting the cleaning process with vinegar and Krudcutter after removing the toilet pump assembly.  We are not replacing the toilet, but doing the more economical option and DIY maintenance first.

 Here is the Joker (not kidding) valve's condition after he removed it from our toilet. Guess we're replacing that.  Even after reinstalling everything, the toilet is not flushing dry correctly and the pistons are faulty leaking sewage back into the toilet causing it to smell again.

 After research online and the Island Packet list Drew ordered an entire new pump assembly and is replacing the new red Joker valve from Raritan with one from Jobsco. It has a different  black material and a tricuspid opening instead of a single slit as you see above.  So the spray bottles of air freshner we've been using regularly I hope will be put away.    I'll keep you posted after the pump arrives and is installed.