Grey Water Holding Tanks

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Grey Water Holding Tanks

Baz421 · Guru

My question is what's the difference between portable and dropping grey water into a bucket????

Usually tanks are plumbed in to automatically capture waste not rely on the human factor to connect a portable/bucket. The question is then capacity and where do you dump it?

We've been to some places where it's compulsory for grey water tanks,,, no probs as we fitted one.

More questions than answers David but why not fit one??

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks for the response, however due to weight considerations, I do not want to fit a permanent tank. Apparently a bucket is no longer satisfactory, the grey water must be captured in an enclosed container and then emptied into a dump point, hence the question on the portable unit which is enclosed.

David.

PJK · Senior Member

From a Tasmanian - there are still some free / low cost camping sites that do not require a built in grey water tank, but they are quickly disappearing.
Some sites will allow the portable one, but some are demanding that you be fully self contained and do an inspection.

There is no doubt that fully self contained is the way of the future, so IMHO if you have to get a tank, get a proper fully installed set up.
That way you only pay once, and can camp at any authorised camping location.

This is not only limited to Tasmania either.

Peter
PJK

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks for the info Peter, do you or anyone else have an idea of cost, size etc to fit a unit. I will only be in Melbourne for three days prior to catching the Ferry. Is there anywhere in Tasmania you could recommend who may be able to fit one for me. I appreciate your help and advice.

David.

Explorer · Guru

David Hi,

I have both a 10litre & 20litre plastic screw top drums (old oil containers) that I carry, mostly only carry the 10l & have been "inspected", as they can be sealed for transport to a proper dump site have been okayed both times. As I explained it's just the same as carrying the cassette to the dump point.

Have a short hose that connects to the outlet at one end & the other goes into the drum. 10 kg being easy to carry for disposal is ideal IMO. Any garage would have old oil supply containers.

Mike.

reglynn · Guru

Hi David, Lynn and i spent 3 mths from Feb this year in Tassie and we did not have any problems with grey water. As Mike has said, if in doubt get a couple of 20 lt containers.

Cheers Reg

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks Reg, guess I could just suck it and see. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

David

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks Mike, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I am thinking we will suck it and see and do as you do and carry a 10 litre container just in case.

David.

Blue · Senior Member

we travelled Tasmania in January 2013 and didn't find one requirement for grey water tanks.. maybe we were in the wrong areas..

in draught times they'd beg you for grey water... whats wrong with it if its relatively clean?

whats wrong with some nice shower water.. ?

I promise I wont pee in it... smile

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Blue wrote:
whats wrong with some nice shower water.. ?

Most introduced species of plant won't object at all, but some natives are badly effected by some detergents and soaps, so it is not a good idea to let your grey water run anywhere in the bush. Better to find a spot without vegetation and drain it into a hole which can be covered afterwards to mask the fats and smells that may attract animals. We should also ensure that it never gets into any water course.

On private property, the owner or controller has every right to determine how grey water should be disposed of. If they are happy to have it on the ground, that's fine, but if they want it taken away, that is their prerogative to demand that that happens.

Even though most grey water ends up on the ground somewhere, having a grey tank allows the flexibility to do what is best on each occasion.

Cheers,

Peter

manxmann · Member

Yep, we are with the 25ltr plastic drum brigade. No problems here.
We carry a 20 & a 25 ltr. As previously stated -- you take it to the dump point (?) and MT it out. I don't understand why a grey tank should have to be fitted under yer 'van/mobile etc. Just because you have a tank fitted doesn't mean you will necessarily dispose of the contents in a responsibe manner.

Sorry, but we don't live in a perfect world - we can but try though.

PeterD · Guru

Bravehearts wrote:
Thanks for the response, however due to weight considerations, I do not want to fit a permanent tank.

What are these weight considerations? The instillation will weigh 3 to 5 kg. That's all the extra weight will be. The weight of any water in your tank will only be the weight of water you have removed from your fresh water tanks.

I have not been forced to use it more than a couple of times. However I frequently use it when doing one or two night stands. For quick stop overs I have less work to do if I don't have to run hoses out. I carry the water until I make a more permanent camp. I find mine very useful to save work.

turbopete · Senior Member

I am in Mt Gam prior to doing the Eyre, York, and Fler Peninsulars, I dont have an on board grey tank and my travel plan research for stopovers is severley restricted by not having on board tank... If u wish to check this out hop on the Caravancaravan trip planner,,,,,, (which by the way leaves wikicamps and others for dead),,,, and see for yourself,I will fit an onboard to be sure for my next trip,I see no point in arguing the merits of portable units,but agree they are just as good as an onboard unit as is a bucket so long as it dosent spill over,on board is the way tings are going so I wll go with the flow,,,,

Big Gorilla · Guru

I live in Tassie and have considered installing tanks. In fact there is insufficient space under my MH so I did purchase one of those 40 liter tanks off E-Bay. It was $89.00 and I picked it up in Melbourne. After buying it, I considered the amount of room required to store it and also the weight when full. So I resold it on E-Bay. For the past 4 years I've dropped grey water on the ground except when I'm on hard stand like concrete or black top. I also have a long drain hose that I can run into a garden, tree base or somewhere else suitable. I regularly park in areas where it's stated "Must be Fully Self Contained".

Phil C · Guru

This is a rock and a hard place. The last cp we were at asked us to put grey water on the trees and grass. I'm now at a council free camp with good ablutions and I can't even spit (joke) on the ground!

I'm told that the only grey water that can contaminate is from the washing machine as it has phosphates in it. I'm confused, I read somewhere that the grey water only contaminates if stored so what's the sense of storing it? Seems like a waste when the ground Im on now is dry and in need of water.

Crazy world
Safe travels folks

Bryan · Guru

Phil C wrote:
This is a rock and a hard place. The last cp we were at asked us to put grey water on the trees and grass. I'm now at a council free camp with good ablutions and I can't even spit (joke) on the ground!

I'm told that the only grey water that can contaminate is from the washing machine as it has phosphates in it. I'm confused, I read somewhere that the grey water only contaminates if stored so what's the sense of storing it? Seems like a waste when the ground Im on now is dry and in need of water.

Crazy world
Safe travels folks

I was thinking the same thing Phil.

Burocracy gone mad?

KFT · Guru

I thought if you were using eco friendly detergent there were no phosphates in them.

I will have to go and have a look at the labels now.

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Im with you Phil
There is very little contaminates in Grey water initially - but after you store it - then its a different story.

I built a grey water tank (3 x 100mm interconnected pipes) with screwed ends for flushing - running the full length of the chassis both sides to distribute any weight
in case I stay at a "Self Contained Only" spot. Normally this will drain via a flex hose connected to trees or a drain point

Now I can store it - until I move on (Sink / Shower & Vanity)
But thats the point... I would be more concerned in draining a stored system just anywhere - which had been held for a few days -
other than a dump point.

But your right - our dry barron landscape needs all the water it can get. I would of thought they would of welcome the water - I didnt see any council out there hosing it?
Burrocracy - obviously doesnt do any camping - or doesnt know or care...desk jockeys.
Cheers
KT

-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Friday 24th of October 2014 09:31:24 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

KeenTravellers wrote:
- our dry barron landscape needs all the water it can get.

Our native plants have adapted to the conditions.

Giving them contaminated water they are not expecting promotes a quite different 'landscape', especially when that water is provided out of season by dozens of different people, all thinking that it is 'just a bit'.

Like the introduction of foreign species, I would prefer we did not meddle with the great 'landscape' we have.

Cheers,

Peter

Reed · Senior Member

I gather from the comments in this thread that you cannot dump dish water or shower water in Australia. Protocols are different in US depending on location and government agency. Usually dish water can be dumped on National Forest/BLM lands. However, it is recommended that dishes/pots be wiped to get rid of food particles/grease etc and use certain biogdegradable soaps - and do not dump within 100 meters of running or standing water. Dumping grey water holding tanks is a more difficult issue but is permissible with more stringent protocols. Do not do it without permission. The problem with dumping grey water holding tank is that both grey and black water tanks usually have the same final port to sump hosing.
Reed and Elaine

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

When I started this post I had not intended it to become a forum for the ethics of dumping/managing grey water, although I am all for protecting the environment. However I thank all who have contributed and some valid points have been made. My reference to weight issues relate to having a motorbike mounted on the back of my van (this is a work in progress restoration project) and the need to maintain the best weight distribution for my particular setup. I agree that I would not be adding weight, just relocating it if I fit a grey water tank. Without doubt the fitment of a dedicated tank is the best option if I can have it fitted in a suitable position. Thanks again to everyone for your input.

David.

New Wanderers · Veteran Member

Hi Bravehearts,

An option may be to contact Melbourne Caravan Repairs 1 Berkshire Rd Nth Sunshine VIC 3020 on 9311 7163, they may be able to give you a quote for the installation of greywater tank, they are not that far away from the ferry.

Please note that I have no affiliation to this company, it is only a suggestion.

NW

PeterD · Guru

Bravehearts wrote:
My reference to weight issues relate to having a motorbike mounted on the back of my van (this is a work in progress restoration project) and the need to maintain the best weight distribution for my particular setup. .

Dear oh dear oh dear, that's another opening to take the thread off topic!

Phil C · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Bravehearts wrote:
My reference to weight issues relate to having a motorbike mounted on the back of my van (this is a work in progress restoration project) and the need to maintain the best weight distribution for my particular setup. .
Dear oh dear oh dear, that's another opening to take the thread off topic!

I agree PeterD, distraction is often non productive (guilty your honour)

Hope you are well mate.

ken thomas · Guru

I am having a new Condor van built and will be getting a grey water put on at the build
If I dont need to use it no harm done but it is there for places where I will need it
Not sure about cost but on ebay a tank and protective cover are around $200
Ken

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks NW, your response is appreciated.

Bravehearts · Veteran Member

Thanks Ken, your response is appreciated.

David.