Gray Water Filter

[Jayco23FB]

Has anyone made, purchased or seen a gray water filtering system. When boondocking I would like to filter my gray water so it can safetly be released back on the ground or in the local area. We use bio degradable soaps and try not to put any grease into the drains. Any info would be appriacaited.

[BurbMan]

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build a gray water filter.

Empty the gray tank slowly into one of these and you can let the filtered water drain right at your campsite. BECAUSE it's no longer gray water, it is CLEAN water.

[AO_hitech]

enblethen wrote:
Only filtration system that will make it "clean" water is reverse osmosis.

Not even close. I own a filter that will filter viruses. With prefilters I could make the water from your black tank potable.

I'm guessing that those that think shower water is contaminated don't use hot tubs or bath tub. Similar concentration and LONGER contact time. Water stays warm longer allowing for increased bacterial growth.

[camperforlife]

Yes grey water and black water can be dumped safely without going into a commercial waste system. Now I'm not saying dump it on the ground!!! Everyone should read "Deep Design: Pathways To A Livable Future By David Wann" where in chapter 7 he discuses PAWS Inc sewer system in detail. They basically use wetlands to filter their waste water. Obviously it is done in a very controlled manner with the approval of the EPA and the State if Indiana.



You can read a summary here: http://www.utne.com/community/sewagesalvation.aspx#ixzz36trwbQal

[enblethen]

Only filtration system that will make it "clean" water is reverse osmosis.

[BurbMan]

BigRabbitMan wrote:

BurbMan wrote:

How do you wash dishes? It's the grease and food particles, leftover beverages, etc, that make gray water what is is...sometimes it can smell worse than black water!

While this may be true of YOUR RV, it is not true for all of them. My kitchen sink water drains into the black tank and not the grey tank.

MY grey tank only has the bathroom sink and shower.

Ok good for you. BUT when you wash your hands or take a shower, the gray water contains whatever it is you washed off your hands or your body. If you wash your pooper, what you washed off will be in the gray water....not just the soap.

paulcardoza wrote:
Is dumping true gray water (non-kitchen sink) safe? Sure it is. But does that matter if you're in state or a CG that prohibits it?

BUT if it was filtered, as the OP suggested, it would no longer be gray water, it would be CLEAN water. They make filters today for backpackers to use to filter stream water to make it potable.

[paulcardoza]

Is dumping true gray water (non-kitchen sink) safe? Sure it is. But does that matter if you're in state or a CG that prohibits it?

[BigRabbitMan]

BurbMan wrote:

How do you wash dishes? It's the grease and food particles, leftover beverages, etc, that make gray water what is is...sometimes it can smell worse than black water!

While this may be true of YOUR RV, it is not true for all of them. My kitchen sink water drains into the black tank and not the grey tank.

MY grey tank only has the bathroom sink and shower.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

AO_hitech wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I'll do it for you; Fecal Coliform is present in all shower water.

And it is present everywhere in your RV also (even on your tooth brush :E ). You track it outside, it is in the stream next to your campsite, etc. The amount in your shower water will not increase the bacterial load on the ground after the surface water has evaporated. There are places that allow you to use shower water to, gasp, water your lawn and plants with!

Bacteria are everywhere. We are made to handle them. Too many of the wrong type and we get sick, but otherwise we handle them just fine.

Kind of reminds me of the question:

Does a bear ______ in the woods? :B

We have a new law here in Ca that says we can't have babies in diapers in fruit or vegetable orchards. I would like to ask the politicians that passed this law what am I supposed to do with the deer and birds and everything else that __________ on my property? Ever try to put a diaper on a bear? They don't like it much. :E

[AO_hitech]

fla-gypsy wrote:
I'll do it for you; Fecal Coliform is present in all shower water.

And it is present everywhere in your RV also (even on your tooth brush :E ). You track it outside, it is in the stream next to your campsite, etc. The amount in your shower water will not increase the bacterial load on the ground after the surface water has evaporated. There are places that allow you to use shower water to, gasp, water your lawn and plants with!

Bacteria are everywhere. We are made to handle them. Too many of the wrong type and we get sick, but otherwise we handle them just fine.

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

fla-gypsy wrote:

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:

westend wrote:

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:

westend wrote:
You're going to need a filtration system that will kill off any body borne pathogens.
Good luck.

Filter for pathogens?? The bacteria we wash off are mostly harmless and are more than likely destroyed by the soap.

Not true at all. Do some homework and report back.

Really? Care to tell all of us what "pathogens" you are referring to? What wasn't true about my statement? Please elaborate.

I'll do it for you; Fecal Coliform is present in all shower water.

So you poop in the shower? If you don't then the amount in normal shower water is negligible. And any few of those would more than likely be destroyed by soap.

[fla-gypsy]

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:

westend wrote:

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:

westend wrote:
You're going to need a filtration system that will kill off any body borne pathogens.
Good luck.

Filter for pathogens?? The bacteria we wash off are mostly harmless and are more than likely destroyed by the soap.

Not true at all. Do some homework and report back.

Really? Care to tell all of us what "pathogens" you are referring to? What wasn't true about my statement? Please elaborate.

I'll do it for you; Fecal Coliform is present in all shower water.

[korbe]

Sure wish I had taken pictures of all the pits within campgrounds that are labelled "sink water". they are everywhere in California. Dumping a sink full of dish water in the bushes or in a designated pit is much different than dumping 40 to 80 gallons of 2-week old gray tank contents onto the ground right near the picnic table.:B

[BurbMan]

rhagfo wrote:
The only think in my Grey tank is hand washing water and soap, and shower water and soap, perfectly safe to dump, just never had the need.

How do you wash dishes? It's the grease and food particles, leftover beverages, etc, that make gray water what is is...sometimes it can smell worse than black water!

hen you wash your hands or shower, the gray water contains whatever it is you washed off your hands or your body. If you wash your pooper, what you washed off will be in the gray water....not just the soap.

[Cummins12V98]

If you dump grey once a day it will not be noticed but wait another day and you will be noticed!