Gray water: tenters dump it, so why can't I?

crosscheck wrote:


It is interesting to note that on our backpack permit in the Grand Canyon, it specifies, peeing in the river, human waste buried in a cat hole a least200 feet from a water source and does not say anything about wash or kitchen waste water.

Dave

Dave,

You are correct on this and GCNP has pretty much set the standard for most desert river canyons in the country.....which is slowly becoming the standard for all river canyons.

Hand wash water is supposed to be dumped into the river if camped by the river. If not camped by the river, then it is supposed to be broadcast over a wide area (if not by the river, then there isn't much water to waste like this). The biggie is the toothpaste spit which needs to be diluted (it seems everyone goes to the same rock or bush to brush their teeth). Otherwise the sugars attract ants....and looks pretty bad.

Kitchen waste water must be strained (I can't recall the max size screen mesh at the moment but there is a requirement) before it is to be dumped into the river. If not camped near the river, it must be dispersed after screening. Screened food particles are to be packed out with trash to avoid drawing insects to the popular camps. GCNP takes micro food waste contamination pretty seriously, to the point where some outfitters put a trap down under their food prep and eating areas (a bit extreme IMO, but for those messy cooks and eaters maybe not......).

As you said, urine goes into the river (yes, the same river we get our water from). And solid waste / TP is carried out by all boaters (even self support kayakers) and either buried or carried out by backpackers depending on the managing agency's leadership whims at the time.

Have a great trip and I'll keep my eyes peeled for you just in case our paths happen to cross.

Steve