We pulled into Armidale Showgrounds and went to pay for our stay ,The caretaker was obviously a caravaner as he had a rig on his block,after we payed up he said to let your water on the ground,he was of the opinion water is good for grass ,could not help noticing that all the Van sites had green grass and the rest of the place the grass was half dead,these leave no trace geniuses forcing people,like the ones that have there old pop tops and earlier model vans to carry the fabulous grey water tanks don't live in the real world you gotta love these lefties there even bringing there silly Ideas into what we do just my humble opinion ...
Your Right A,k that's what iIam going to do put some sort of filer on the end of the drain pipe,makes more sense then that silly tank in my opinion and a lot less expense for folks as well,I do agree that the drain water should be caught in a container on hard surfaces it's not a good look ,and then when you have the chance empty it on the grass somewhere it's like mothers milk to the green stuff in our sunburnt country...
In our 9 months travel we were never challenged re our grey water. I have a portable tank which is still "a virgin"' but if and when I have to contain our grey water I know where I will be dumping it.
It really does make sense. Even a few peas, a bit of sweetcorn or some mashed spud in the washing up water wont hurt the grass. It'll breakdown quickly or get picked up by the birds anyway. Just not a good look!
The need for 'grey water tanks' - either portable or fixed - depends on where you travel and/or camp.
If mainly inland and in and around small towns etc it is rare to encounter restrictions on grey water.
These small dry towns usually welcome grey water on their grass and/or trees almost as much as they welcome we GNs spending our $$$ in their towns.
However, if you travel up and down the east coast particularly, especially if staying on 'hard stand' places in or near larger towns at rest stops rather than camp grounds, then grey water catchment is a wise move.
As they say ... horses for courses.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Btw I have grey water tank . I just spread it around if it's ok to do so .The sun soon kills any bacteria . Solids I bury in ground a little or put in bin, under a tree .. So no issue walking over .
I read what people say on the topic and cant help but think , why it is that because people have been doing something for so long that its ok ? The rule is not for the good folk but for the idiots that constantly abuse the system . When a van has been in one spot for a long time
and letting their grey water go its a septic pit in the making . I've had my boot sink halfway up on occasions . Some spread it round regularly , good on you , but theres the b... that don't bother and hence the rules . stop bitching and go with the Flo'
Yes Ron-D, If you only camp in places where the grass needs water, then you will never need a grey water tank. For my part, having a grey water tank gives me the choice to let the water run at Armidale, or avoid letting it out when I'm stopped somewhere it's not desirable. Common sense? I think the tank covers all situations.
Safe travels.
Yes, I was thinking of the inland camps, as thats where I mainly travel and use sites that don't mind a drop of water. My frame of reference is different to others. Not having a shower on board, as in my case, is another factor.All I have is a bit of washing up water, done in a bowl on the camp table, thats thrown over a patch of grass or like, [taking care to not throw out the odd tea spoon I've missed.] It's probably only a few litres at a time, so not likely to create a soggy mess. Even an external shower from a bucket of warm water is more or less about 10 litres.
But on the coast, on hard stand, with an onboard shower with 200 litres on tap, thats a different matter!
SNIP~~~But on the coast, on hard stand, with an onboard shower with 200 litres on tap, that's a different matter!
Gday...
Ya hit the proverbial on the head there Inland Sailor ... that is definitely what is raising the ire of communities - and who can blame them.
I seems I am like you ... inland 95% of the time, very low water use, camp in actual camps in dry areas - apart from the lack of restrictions there is also a lack of crowds.
I guess I am still camping frugally like I have always but now with a big aluminium tent instead of canvas. (gawd I'm getting soft though )
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
A grey water tank, or even a bucket with a rock in it, (to stop the bucket from blowing away), is a very handy piece of equipment
Instead of letting the grey water go straight to the ground, and then driving off, (which I believe is the main bone of contention), especially as others have said, while leaving your water on the hard stand
I always use a bucket to empty my grey water tank, and then use that water on selected trees/bushes/etc
Yes Ron-D, If you only camp in places where the grass needs water, then you will never need a grey water tank. For my part, having a grey water tank gives me the choice to let the water run at Armidale, or avoid letting it out when I'm stopped somewhere it's not desirable. Common sense? I think the tank covers all situations. Safe travels.
Kevin as. I have stated there will be occasions like when your in town with your rig parked on a hard surface to catch water that can be done with a simple bucket.Some members with motor homes and new rigs come stock standered with a grey water tank but don't lord it over people that don't have the fabulous tank,there not necessary ,and where do u think these big volume water tanks are emptied,probably the same place the smaller portable tanks are...
gotta confess, I am the cause of the complaint, in fact I woulda complained about me if I was a local too. Older pop top, just kitchen sink water to catch. Stopped for lunch at a 2 horse town, bought it at the bakery ate it in the park, washed the dishes and pulled the plug without thinking.... soapy water in the street, on the road not kerb side, it didnt look any better after I washed it away with some clean water. Just was big wet patch where the selfish caravaners stopped for an hour.... so I am fitting a tank so I am not a tool again.... and who wants to get a bucket out every time you want to rinse a coffee cup.
I think you need to look at the bigger picture. One or two vehicles parked at a deserted roadside stop is not going to make all that much difference. But, these days it rarely happens. I'm at a free camp ATM, forty or fifty vans parked up. Imagine if everyone dropped their grey water. It would be a quagmire. This is happening more often these days.
I think you need to look at the bigger picture. One or two vehicles parked at a deserted roadside stop is not going to make all that much difference. But, these days it rarely happens. I'm at a free camp ATM, forty or fifty vans parked up. Imagine if everyone dropped their grey water. It would be a quagmire. This is happening more often these days.
Gday...
Unfortunately, that is so very true ... and it is therefore no wonder communities (and perhaps some of the travelling public) are reacting the way they are and why restricted areas are blossoming.
It is fast approaching when I will be giving up on my ideal of travelling till I die ... I reckon the van will be on the market soon and I will retreat to buying a small shack in a small town somewhere quiet and remote.
There are just far too many rigs, and thoughtless people, on the road ... and too many restrictions.
But I guess me ole mate Ned summed it up a bit - "Such is life"
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
.....In my opinion, so I could be wrong, meeting just one good person, during each road trip I do, are what makes the trips enjoyable
Couldn't agree more. Just returned from 10 days near Mildura where we had that experience. Met a terrific couple of people who will remain firmly in our memories.
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
(gawd I'm getting soft though 
