Dumping Black Water On The Ground?

[brookside]

At a group on FB this morning, they were discussing dumping black water on the ground. Tell me that this isn't something that is becoming popular! It has been awhile since we have camped but I am hoping it hasn't changed that much. The reasoning came down to the fact that bears poop in the woods. Well, not 30 gallons of raw sewage that has been fermenting in a plastic box for a few days. I just imagine that one day, the black water is dumped on the ground and the camper leaves and then I show up with my dogs, well, you know dogs and then the kids run around barefoot.......... And, frankly, I realized when they got off on comparing the 30 gallons of raw sewage with a pile of bear poop that I wasn't dealing with rocket scientists! I truly feel that if you can't afford the dump station or don't have the foresight to plan around free places to dump that maybe rving isn't for you. I know that dumping tanks and leaving trash is what has already closed many boondocking locations and while they try to blame cities for bans, it is more likely the behavior of a few that are ruining it for everyone else. Seriously, dumping the black tanks on the ground?

[wa8yxm]

Aridon wrote:
Stupid people have existed since the dawn of mankind. They just haven't had an easy way to show their stupidity to the world until the internet gave then that chance.

LOVE it,, Can I please use it elsewhere.. Thanks in advance.

[Bumpyroad]

every time I see a tanker spraying the fields with "stuff", I wonder if that really is all from a pig/cow lot or otherwise.
bumpy

[valhalla360]

Are we talking about a camp ground or the middle of no where?

Obviously, in a camp ground, it's a no go.

It's probably illegal but if you are in the back woods miles from where anyone is likely to be, it's pretty harmless though still likely illegal. The problem is there is likely to be someone around.

[D___M]

Sounds like some FB troll was trying to stir stuff up. FB is a vast electronic wasteland.

[gbopp]

Geocritter wrote:
I remember finding a place in the woods where some septic tank pumper was illegally dumping his waste. The area was loaded with great tomato plants springing up from the waste piles! FWIW I didn't pick any.

Near where I live, a few years ago, the DEP was reclaiming an old coal mining site, about 5 acres of black coal dirt and rock.
They brought many truckloads of processed sewer waste from the city and covered the site.

Soon afterward there were tomatos growing all over. Some people were picking them, not me.
I didn't hear of anyone getting sick or having problems.

[wa8yxm]

There are 3 classes of waste water and 4 Total classes of water in an RV
Fresh water: May be dumped on ground in nearly all areas, Some exceptions do apply but these are like Desert BLM land.

Wash: This can be dumped on the ground in MOST areas, again there are some restrictions,, (Like the aforementioned BLM where ANY water dumping is discouraged). Wash water is Gray water but WITHOUT the kitchen sink

Gray Water (Kitchen sink included) is even more restrictive, though there are SOME places where it's allowed to dump it.

BLACK water.... Far as I know there is no place you are ever likely to take an RV where you can dump black water other than into a proper hole in the ground (Sewer or septic system).

Now, the back 40 of a 200 acre plus farm that YOU own..... Well... No comment, but it is still a violation of law to dump there. Likewise it is a violation to dump into a STORM sewer. Only a Sanitary sewer system or septic system.

And what is more.... Exclusive of the afore mentioned back 40 (And even there if you get caught) you are creating a EPA Hazard zone.. They will have to scoop up the dirt to a depth the EPA will specify, (Deeper than needed) refill it with clean fill dirt dispost of the 'Contaminated' dirt, re-seed and such the ground where you dumped,,, and send the the BILL!!!!, Could easily break your bank by running into the hundreds of thousands range... and that is on top of any fines you might get hit with.

Thus... My recommendation: Do what you think is right, If you do not mind funding an EPA clean up response.... I won't stop you.

[jfkmk]

brookside wrote:
.....The reasoning came down to the fact that bears poop in the woods.

Yup, and bears are animals, so I guess these folks are too. Reminds me of a news story from Pennsylvania where they keep having to close a lake at a state park due to dangerously high bacteria levels. Part of the problem is people burying dirty diapers in the sand at the beach. I can only shake my head and wonder what the heck is wrong with people.

[Geocritter]

I remember finding a place in the woods where some septic tank pumper was illegally dumping his waste. The area was loaded with great tomato plants springing up from the waste piles! FWIW I didn't pick any.

[K3WE]

Maybe...

If you live in the country...

...on at least 5 acres...

...and it slopes very little at all...

Maybe you can dump on your own place...

...Maybe...

[Tom_N]

Modern sanitation practices is one reason we can live to 100 today, rather the 50 years of age in 1864.

Dumping sewerage on the ground is a 3rd world country practice.

[Mootpoint]

I know of a person who did not like the car behind him following so close. Being a plumber by trade, he had a homemade electric valve system on the control panel and had his wife push the button for a second. Did I mention he failed to see the colored light array on top of the vehicle behind him?
It cost him a whole bunch of greenbacks to rectify the situation right down to paying for a hazmat crew to clean up the road.

[motorhomi]

Many years ago our full black tank broke away form the bottom of the camper and spilled it's entire contents on I-75, does that count ? To make matters worse we where returning from Upper Michigan on 4th of July weekend, my sincere apologies to anyone traveling behind us.

[korbe]

Bumpyroad wrote:
you can't cure stupid.
bumpy

It can't be cured, and it's growing.

[cyntdon2010]

I must be old, I had to ask the grands kids what was this "FB".

Any campground that allows, dumping black water on the ground is going to be empty. Quick

[mowermech]

Not only is it NOT an "accepted practice", in my state it is absolutely ILLEGAL to dump waste water of ANY kind on the ground, ANYWHERE.

In many back country campgrounds it is also against the rules to dump the waste water from your RV in the vault toilets; they have to be pumped out, and a few RVs dumping in there might fill them to overflowing before the next scheduled pump-out!

Yes, I know, tent campers do not have the ability to store waste water for later dumping. There are different rules for them. They usually don't generate that much waste water from doing a few dishes!