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waste treatment type 1 msd purasan macerating box electroscan

In the 1970's, Raritan Engineering began development of a waste treatment device for boats to allow for discharge of waste without harm to the environment.  The goal was to build a product that allowed boats under 65 feet in length to discharge waste that was treated so that it would not impact the marine life of the lake, river or sea where the waste was being discharged.  At the time, it was not a device that was in demand, but Raritan saw the need for this technology.  Eventually, they designed a simple macerating box that used small amounts of chlorine to eliminate the bacteria present in the waste.

Over time, the technology evolved, and so did the public interest in protecting the marine environment.  Eventually, the EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard implemented regulations and standards regarding waste discharge from boats.  These regulations increased the need and demand for sophisticated waste treatment devices for boats.  Today, Raritan offers a few options for onboard waste treatment systems, but understanding which system is right for your boat can be a challenge.  In this article, we will identify the features and differences between Raritan's most popular solutions, the ElectroScan and the Purasan.

ElectroScan - the Solution for Salt Water Environments

The ElectroScan (originally called Lectra/San) was the original waste treatment solution devised by Raritan, and it was the first Type 1 Marine Sanitation Device to be certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.  The electrical technology used in the ElectroScan has evolved over the years, but the basic principle of operation has not.  Inside the ElectroScan are electrode plates coated with a special material.  When activated, electricity is applied to the plates inside the ElectroScan.  When saltwater is introduced to these electrified plates, an acid similar to chlorine is generated which can kill all the bacteria present in waste. The resulting product is environmentally safe for discharge into open waters.

Because salt water is required for treatment of waste in the ElectroScan, these devices are only used in salt water environments like coastlines and oceans.  They are not effective in fresh water environments, and so Raritan needed to develop a new solution that would work for boaters in inland lakes and rivers.

Raritan ElectroScanRaritan ElectroScan
Raritan ElectroScan

Purasan - the Anywhere Solution

After the success of the ElectroScan and the increasing popularity of regulations regarding waste discharge in marine environments, Raritan saw the need to develop a waste treatment solution for inland boating.  In particular, the surgingpopularity of houseboats in Kentucky and other areas drove the need for this solution.  So, Raritan developed the Purasan, a Type 1 Marine Sanitation Device that can be used in any marine environment.

When the onboard toilet is flushed, waste is pushed into the Purasan box, where a small amount of disinfectant is introduced.  This disinfectant destroys bacteria present in the waste.  The disinfectant comes from a separate cartridge that holds disinfectant tablets.  Small amounts of the tablet drip into the Purasan box as needed.  Therefore, the Purasan system requires regular refills of the disinfectant tablets.  

Raritan PurasanRaritan Purasan
Raritan Purasan

Choosing Your Waste Treatment System

Choosing the right waste treatment system for your boat is sometimes confusing for people, but it doesn't have to be.  If your boat is always operated in salt water, and you don't expect to ever take it into brackish or fresh water areas, then you probably want to use an ElectroScan system.  These systems use the salt water itself in a chemical reaction to treat the waste.  You will get the results you are looking for, but you won't have the added expense of replacement disinfectant tablets.

If your boat is always operated in fresh water areas OR you plan to take your boat back and forth between salt and fresh water environments, then you probably should opt for a Purasan.  Purasan systems can be operated in any type of water, but of course there is a recurring cost involved with supplying the disinfectant tablets.  You will also want to carry backup tablets onboard your vessel in case the current one is used up.  Though there is an additional cost, it's critical that you have a proper waste treatment device onboard in order to adhere to the local regulations.

Know the Rules

A final piece of understanding your waste treatment system is to be familiar with the local regulations regarding waste discharge.  Some areas restrict discharge of sewage regardless of whether it has been treated or not, and federal law prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage in any inland waters as well as coastal waters up to three miles from shore.  It is important to be familiar with the local No Discharge Zones (NDZ) where discharge is not allowed even for treated waste, and follow those regulations correctly.

For more information on No Discharge Zones by state and municipality, visit the EPA's directory of NDZs on their website.  For more information about waste discharge on the water, please check out the EPA's Guide to Vessel Sewage.  And, if you have questions about selecting the correct waste treatment device for your boat, feel free to contact our ABYC-certified experts at (866)388-0390.