Have been learning lots from all the questions posted on here - we are first timers so still lots to learn. Was wondering if you can catch your grey water and recycle it to fill the water tank to flush the toilet?
Hi Jeanne,
I'm another newbie so beware of any reply I give to your question, but..... Some years ago I built a house that was to be as "Green" as I could make it.
High on the list was exactly what you're asking about but in a suburban environment. Basic principles should apply though.
That basic principle is that grey water is assumed to also include run off from shower or washing machine and as such will have microscopic particles of fecal matter.
The health inspector I spoke to explained that if this water is immediately dumped on the garden in the sun, this bacteria won't survive more than an hour or two.
But, store it in a dark warm place...like a grey water tank....for more than 24 hours the bacteria will grow dramatically and the resulting brew will be quite dangerous to my health.
This was particularly appropriate when using it to flush a toilet because that action would effectively atomise the poison so I could breath it in.
I argued that if the toilet was designed that it wouldn't flush unless the lid was down this wouldn't happen. He rejected any idea I came up with so the whole project was abandoned and I went with a composting toilet and running the grey water through a botanic filter before letting it out onto the garden.
Now, translating to a caravan there are two differences.
1. Many vans have no shower or washing machine so therefore the likelihood of fecal matter is much lower if not nonexistent.
2. Most van toilets don't flush like a domestic one so it could be argued you're not atomizing it.
Or, last resort would be to add chlorine but that opens up more cans of worms than I care to consider.
Have I totally confused you now?
Cheers
Jim
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There Comes a time in life, when you must walk away from all drama and the people who create it.
Thanks Grandad5 for your expert advice on this matter. It's just a pity the authorities and Council rangers who police some of the free camps aren't a little more aware of the facts. It would appear that by insisting that grey water be stored within the confines of an RV or van, they are potentially jeopardising the health of the occupants. In addition, when the van owner found a suitable place to empty the grey water holding tank, assuming that there was no dump point available, he would probably be releasing a brew which could well be dangerous to anyone coming along at a later stage.
Short and sweet.Grey water becomes "foul " after 24 hrs and is only fit for the garden.and keep away from it until it seeps into the earth, bad ! for children and cuts and abrasions.One word ....hepatitus. John.
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
When I was at a CMCA rally they had huge grey water tanks in each row of motorhomes for emptying grey water into. They were so foul that I stopped washing up and started wiping my plate and cooking pot etc. with baby wipes and went nowhere near the tanks.
Definitely a health hazard
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Best wishes to all from
Cooee
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad.
