4 Ways to Take a Poop on the Lake

4 Ways to Take a Poop on the Lake

Everyone goes.  Everyone knows that everyone goes number 2.  What happens if you are on a boat?  Hopefully it is a nice boat with a bathroom or a “head” as the captain might call it.  Odds are, you are not rich and the boat you are on has no bathroom.  Here are some tips to take a poop while on the lake.

Here’s the thing, pooping directly in the lake (some call it Aqua-Dumping) is a bad idea for a couple of reasons:

• It’s not sanitary: Human waste can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can pollute the water and make people sick. Lakes are used for swimming, fishing, and other activities, and contaminating them with waste can ruin the enjoyment of others and be a health hazard.
• It’s bad for the environment: Waste breaks down slowly in water, and can disrupt the lake’s ecosystem. The nutrients in it can cause algae blooms, which harm fish and other wildlife.

There are definitely better options! If you’re near a lake and nature calls, here’s what you can do:

• Find a restroom: This is the best option by far. Many parks and public areas have restrooms nearby lakes.
• Go off the beaten path: If there’s no restroom available, try to find a secluded spot on land, at least 200 feet away from the water’s edge.
• Use a wag bag: These are portable disposal bags designed for human waste in the outdoors. They often contain a gel to absorb waste and deodorize it. Wag bags should be packed out and disposed of properly in a trash can.