Waste water dumping

gatorcq wrote:
First, learn waste water management.
1) Wash dishes in plastic tubs.

.... or better still, don't use any more dishes than absolutlely necessary.

We use paper plates, paper bowls, and paper cups when drycamping. We prefer to haul out a big plastic bag full of used paper goods instead of running out of water.

By the way and FWIW, our well and spring are on their last legs this summer until winter comes. We're now buying water, storing it in huge tanks, and living in our house like we have to live in our RV when drycamping.

First, learn waste water management.
1) Wash dishes in plastic tubs. That can be drained on the ground in every US forest with not issues.

2) Hot Water, Catch the cold water in a container, till you get hot water. Use the water you catch for drinking, coffee, cooking etc.

Look at it this way. Do what tenters do. Now in Florida anything that goes into a tank (Grey or Black) is contaminated. So, item 1 is ok in Fla. Item 2, if you dry-camp you should do it.

I follow the simple rule of leave no trace behind-

If I am in a situation where I can let the grey go and leave no trace- I do it. And I do it regardless of what the regulations might be. If my grey helps a tree or shrub be a little more comfortable during the drought- then I am willing to take the risk.

As a side note, I also leave any extra fresh water behind as well. Generally I let the grey and fresh go the evening before we depart just so I can be sure everything has percolated into the ground. I don't leave a puddle, I don't leave a damp spot, I don't leave any sign I was ever there.

Just to be clear, I always practice the above in a manner that is respectful of the next camper and always leave my site in better shape than I found it!

The grey water issue always puzzles me. As one who spent several semi-clean years without running water, i would introduce the topic of sponge baths. Saves water and saves storage space. Now if you have teens, I can hear the Ewwws.

I wish Thetford sold their Thermasan system. Back in the 1980s, it used the heat from the catalytic converter to incinerate all waste in the black water tank.

Look up "dry well". A simple dry well will accommodate rather large amounts of grey water. Then it is filled back up with dirt when you are done with it. I only do it when truly boondocking. It has to be large enough and in soils appropriate to allow the water to percolate into the ground.

Outside of using the dish water to put out the fire at night, I believe in take home what you bring with you.

Now if you are out in the boonies and toss a pan of dish water in the bushes, just make sure you don't hit the guy taking a wee next to you. There is a big difference between that and draining a tank. I've seen the results of not just grey tanks being dumped out in the wild, it's disgusting. Someone else will camp on the mess if they know it or not. If you wouldn't dump in your front yard, please don't dump it in what I will call my yard for the next week.

Otherwise check with the ranger station or the BLM office in the area if you must dump grey water.

Better check on the state laws regarding draining on the ground. Some don't allow it although some folks seem to think it's o.k. for THEM.

buy the adapter with the garden hose connector and a garden hose and drain it in the bushes or trees. We have done this for years never had any issues.

Let it trickle on the ground where ever you are at.