Being the newest of Prowler users (NOV 07) I was conscious of this when I first started using the machine.However I have had no negative comments, I have cut the waste hose down to about 15ft and what I now generally do is either run it to a drain or simply put the waste hose under the vehicle, by the kerb and the waste just runs down the side of the road to the nearest drain. There is a metal filter in the machine which holds all the debris from the carpets, when you have finished each job you simply remove it, clean out all the fluff and sand, and refit it. I then just put what I have removed into a plastic bag for the customer to see if they want.