Don't understand people's fascination with having a very expensive floating outhouse which is what a boat with holding tank is. Lectra Scan treats sewage to a level higher than municipal systems for disease causing organisms. None of the issues of a holding tank like a
leaks or finding someplace to empty it other than
pump the untreated sewage
overboard. Had one of the early Lectra San models for 3years of live aboard/cruising and had no problems with it though was always in salt water.
The LectraScan uses electricity to break down seawater into a chlorine compound to treat the sewage that has been emulsified via a built in macerator. The chlorine compound recombines back to salt water so no chlorine pollution as there is with chlorinating heads, if there are any still around. They have a high but very short term
electrical drain while the sea water is being converted to chlorine compound. We found it to be an almost unnoticable
electrical draw cruising. Since the unit needs salt water to convert to the chlorine compound, they don't treat sewage in fresh or brackish water unless additional salt is added. They make a unit for fresh water that automatically adds salt.
As far as allowed use, the
Great Lakes are the biggest body of water that bans
overboard discharge. There are some local areas, mostly enclosed bays or low tidal flush areas and most
marinas that don't allow overboard discharge. The marinas are no big deal as you can use their facilities when the need arises. If you must
anchor in a no discharge area, you can use the direct discharge option or bring along a bucket and ddposit contents in a convenient
toilet. Doubt you'll be inconvenienced in a lot of places.