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Eddiegnz1's avatar
Eddiegnz1
Explorer
May 05, 2017

Where To Dump Black Water When Dry Camping

we will be dry camping on a friends land that is over 1,000 acres in Florida. WE'll actually live there for a year or maybe even two years. The property owner (my good friend) said I could simply dig a ten to 12 foot deep hole and put a 4 foot by 4 foot piece of plywood over the hole. The plywood would function as a lid and decrease odors from escaping because the plywood would be almost entire buried under dirt. The only part that would not be buried is the plumbing part that attaches to my black water tubing/line. The hole would be about 18 to 24 inch diameter. Then I could attach/install the plumbing fixture on to the plywood and then hook up my black water hose to the fixture. Then each time i dump, just remove the plywood and bury the black water with 12 to 18 inches of dirt and repeat layering like this until the final layer of dirt is 24 inches thick. Then dig another 12 foot deep hole else where to start a new dump site.

It's his property, he's not an experienced Dry Camper nor experienced in RV'ing. Which is why i'm posting this question to you more experienced folks.

Can his plan work?
have you ever tried something similar?

Please share your suggestions, recommendation, advice. Thank you kindly in advance.

Eddie

107 Replies

  • This is a bad idea on a lot of levels.
    When will you hit the water table in FL, 12', 10', 2'?
    What will you do if someone/pet falls into that open trench?
    Who will be paying the fines when it is discovered that raw sewage is being deposited on the ground?

    You and your friend would be better served by installing a storage tank and using a septic pump truck for cleaning it all out every month or so.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Some state/county has funny rules about this... I'm pretty sure that would not be allowed here in my county...

    We can't live in a RV in our county either unless it is parked at registered trailer park...

    You should be able to check on what the regulations might be and not be breaking any local laws...

    Everything these days needs permits issued haha

    Roy Ken
  • Think it would be wise to check with county officials to get their recommendations on a proper system to use in the rural property that you're planning on camping on. A lot depends on ground water and the soil type that you will be discharging septic waste onto. Better safe than sorry!
  • When we lived in a rented farm house in the early 70's in my teenage years the sewer ran from the farm house out to the pasture on top of the ground! The cows didn't seem to mind.
  • Just build a septic tank system with PVC pipe and 55 gallon drums. There are lots of youtube videos on how to do it.

    Jim
  • Google hone stead septic systems
    You want a pit, with a few biologicals in it that will break down waste

    Try looking online for articles from 'mother earth news'

    A popular magazine in the 70's
  • That's how old fashioned out houses worked I do believe... As long as it's a ways from his well or any natural waterways, why not?

    Who gets to dig the twelve foot deep hole that's only 12" across, some sort of machine?

    Pick up a few bags of lime, send a shovel full down the hole now and then, should help with odors and decomposition.

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