Plans aim to stop piles of human waste left at beauty spot

PLANS are being put forward to stop the growing problem of walkers leaving piles of mess next to a mountain shelter at a Welsh beauty spot.

Dulyn Bothy, next to Llyn Dulyn in the Carneddau area of Eryri, is looked after by the Mountain Bothies Association, which maintains over 100 bothies (a type of shelter) around the UK.

But in recent years they have experienced a growing problem with visitors dumping piles of “human waste” and rubbish close to the Dulyn Bothy, something also seen at other sites.

Richard Grummitt, sanitation officer, Mountain Bothies Association, told NorthWalesLive: “In the early days few people visited the bothies – mainly enthusiastic members of the MBA who adhered to the Bothy Code and buried their waste. Over the intervening years times and attitudes have changed.

“Bothies are are now much busier and visitors are drawn from a much wider slice of society, which is great. Unfortunately a minority do not behave appropriately, leaving piles of rubbish and human waste close to bothies and watercourses in the surrounding area.

“This is both unsightly and a potential health and environmental hazard. Similar problems in areas all around the UK have been well-documented in outdoor pursuit magazines and the general press, particularly since the pandemic.”

They have now come up with a potential solution – with plans for a new toilet with an underground vault to store the human waste. Urine will go to a new small stone and gravel soakaway next to the toilet, which would be around 50m from the bothy.

The group now hopes to secure planning from officials at Eryri National Park. They say it is a challenging site as there is no power or constant water supply and is two miles from the nearest road.

“This means a fairly unique solution is needed, as a typical composting toilet would need regular servicing, something the group can’t provide.

Mr Grummitt said: “I understand all the regulations regarding toilet systems not connected to mains sewerage.

“I note that the rules are intended for domestic or commercial properties, but bothies do not sit comfortably in either group so require sensible interpretation of the guidelines.

“The MBA have met similar hurdles with the relevant authorities in Scotland and thankfully have always agreed a compromise and I hope we can do so for Dulyn.”

The proposal will now be considered by planners.