Blackwater (waste)

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Blackwater is a relatively recent term used to describe water containing fecal matter and urine. It is also known as brown water, foul water, or sewage. It is distinct from greywater or sullage, the residues of washing processes. The term is commonly used on recreational vehicles where separate tanks collect blackwater and graywater wastes.

[edit] Processing

Blackwater contains pathogens which need to decompose before they can be released safely into the environment. It is difficult to process blackwater if it contains a large quantity of excess water, or if it must be processed quickly, because of the high concentrations of organic material. However, if blackwater does not contain excess water, then it is easily processed through composting. The heat produced by naturally occurring thermophilic microorganisms, will heat the compost to over 60 degrees C, and destroy all harmful pathogens. The compost is eventually reduced to safe fertilizer after about 1 year. ^[1]