Problem: Grey water matters to a lot of us. Grey water matters in National Parks. Grey water matters in the bush and drought affected areas. We all love to get out and about in our RV's and spending time away from the maddening crowds and soon the issue of Grey Water Matters arises! A few days R+R in the bush, National Park and the likes can be soul reviving. One of the questions that comes up a lot is can I just empty my grey water on the ground when I am free camping? Can I empty it on the ground when I am in a National Park? We are in the middle of a drought, why can't I just empty it by the trees? I mean if I store it up in my holding tank, it means that I have to, possibly leave in a few days and find a dump point to empty it into. So why not on the ground? Why not water the trees and shrubs? We live in such a dry and arid country and the best thing we can do as travelers is spread the water around where we can, especially in times of drought. Right! Well actually, it is not that simple.
Process: Firstly grey water contains more than just water that is no longer clean. It contains soaps, disinfectants chemicals, bleaches, food particles, dead skin and so the gruesome list could go on. There are so many articles and opinions on the matter that it is difficult for the Rv'er to know what to do. So firstly let me say that like most opinions, mine does not count. Nor does yours. What matters is , what is the rules and regulations for each and every state. What is the rules and regulations for the local government authority that I am currently camping in. What is the rules and regulations concerning this matter in regards to the National or State Park I am in. What is the rules and regulations in the CP or RV stop over, that matters. What does not matter is whether we are in a drought or not. What does not matter is my opinion or your opinion. What does matter is what are the rules and regulations for where I am at at the point of time where I need to dispose of my grey water. Self contained sites also have THEIR OWN interpretation on self contained so you need to ask that as well.
So basically it is quite simple. If you do not know for sure if you are allowed to empty your grey water on the ground, don't. Not going to get more simple than that. If you are allowed to empty on the ground, what are THEIR rules re this? If a place says self contained vehicles only, then trust me, this is not the place to let your grey water flow. Self contained means you must one way or another contain all matters of waste from your own rubbish to grey water and black water. If you look at the sites details where you are, you will soon know whether or not you can empty grey water. Remember if in doubt, then do not empty grey water on ground. The last thing you want to see is places closed down because you felt you had the right to empty your grey water. Now if you are allowed to empty on the ground, be CONSIDERATE. Move your hose around regularly and do not allow a cesspool to flood the grounds and make them viral and smelly. You can also fit a sock to the end of the hose to collect the food particles and other stuff, so that only liquids will pass through. ...................Be environmentally responsible! Please read the info below, and do what is right, because that is all, that MATTERS.
Tip: 1. To help keep grey water in tank from getting clogged up with debris, I always wipe down my plates with a serviette, scrapping into bin and then tossing serviette. 2. To help with pots and pans, i also wipe them out pre wash using a silicon scrapper. It works a treat by really cleaning the pots down first. Debris to rubbish bin, and the dish wash water is spared all the food stuffs, grease and oils. 3. Upon stopping, and I am going to drain my tanks, I do it immediately, as it is all stirred up from the driving and drains very well. 4. Every couple of outings I might just shoot garden hose up the waste pipe and shoot pressured water up there making sure all nice and clean. After 13 years, we have never had a smelly grey water tank, touch wood, as he knocks on his head.
Self Contained: So there will be many thoughts on self contained. As mentioned before, it does not matter what you think is self contained, nor does it matter what I think it means. Self contained policies might vary from time to time. It depends on the site you visit and what they call is self contained is all that matters. If they say you need to have a installed grey water tank, and you must have a installed shower, and installed toilet, then so be it. Remember it is THEIR SITE. Their site, their rules, it is that simple and nothing else matters. You want to stop there then you must adhere to their rules for self contained. If you do not like it, no good posting on face book and asking every body if it is right or not! Of course it is right, it is their site and their rules. End of story, if you or I do not like it then you and or I will need to move on to a place we do agree with and stop there. No good arguing or listening to those that do argue, "but I have a toilet canister and a pop up tent." Unfortunately, it does not matter. It needs to be a plumbed in toilet inside the vehicle, and that is that. No good arguing, or listening to those that argue, "but not every body needs to shower. I have a wash at night so I do not need a plumbed in shower". Well again that does not matter because the sites rules is self contained , you must have a plumbed in shower inside the vehicle. No good arguing, no good going on Facebook and questioning if it is right and what does everyone think? It is right, because it is their site, and again if we want to stop there then we need to abide by their rules. Simples really.
Please do not empty grey water into our water ways. There is specific laws regarding this. Don't Do It!