Grey water (again)

Colin Penrose · Senior Member

Grey water (again)

Meredith · Senior Member

Generally it is ok. Just make sure its not running to anywhere near a waterway (river, creek, lake etc) and not where people would normally walk or park.

brickies · Guru

Also do not drop onto hard surfaces , Some of the problem people just pull up and don't even put a bucket out , I have had a problem with grey water at any free camp but always collect waste and put it on some vegetation away from the free camp parking areas

barrie · Guru

Just fitted a grey water tank to my New Age van ,holds 100 litres and it is a purple color ,so now no problems as we are fully contained

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Please do not drop grey water onto native vegetation. It does it no good at all.
Fine to put it onto imported plants and lawns or onto sandy areas with minimal vegetation where it will soak away quickly.

Cheers,
Peter

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Grey water discharged onto native vegetation is not harmful. We have been growing native plants for more than 30 years and the only water they get beside rainfall is from a reticulated grey water system. No plants have been harmed at all. Grey water is only DIRTY WATER not bacteria infested BLACK WATER.

As to running on to ground near creeks and dams where do you think wildlife and domestic animals urinate and defecate.

Get real people

Alan

dogbox · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:

Grey water discharged onto native vegetation is not harmful. We have been growing native plants for more than 30 years and the only water they get beside rainfall is from a reticulated grey water system. No plants have been harmed at all. Grey water is only DIRTY WATER not bacteria infested BLACK WATER.
As to running on to ground near creeks and dams where do you think wildlife and domestic animals urinate and defecate.
Get real people
Alan

though I read on here some where that grey water soon turns black if stored for to long " would that be fact or fiction" hope some one can confirm

rockylizard · Guru

dogbox wrote:
thought I read on here some where that grey water soon turns black if stored for too long " would that be fact or fiction" hope some one can confirm

Gday..

you answered your own question.

It only becomes toxic when stored for anymore than a day or two.

Hence those with grey water tanks need to ensure they treat the water if not discharging it within a day or two ... and then ONLY discharge it into a black water dump point.

It is OK (despite some exceptions such as camp/surface restrictions) to flow directly onto the ground etc.

This will give some info on grey water

Cheers - John

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Grey water discharged onto native vegetation is not harmful. We have been growing native plants for more than 30 years and the only water they get beside rainfall is from a reticulated grey water system. No plants have been harmed at all. Grey water is only DIRTY WATER not bacteria infested BLACK WATER.
As to running on to ground near creeks and dams where do you think wildlife and domestic animals urinate and defecate.
Get real people
Alan

Grey water on natives is not natural. It upsets the normal cycle of growth. Do whatever you like in your own home, but don't mess with the bush.

And if you do your homework you will find there are very big differences and effects between animal and human faeces on aquatic life.

Some people would get a real shock if they visited some countries that have not looked after their bush and their rivers. It is time we stopped crapping on this beautiful country and started seriously looking after it. Our kids and grand kids have a greater concern for this than some of the older generation.

Cheers,

Peter

iana · Guru

Just reading a couple of articles on the net re the subject, and from what I can gather, its all about using the friendly detergents when the wash is done, that has the influence on the plant life. Burks back yard has an article, and there is a report from the USA about salts. From what I read it seems what comes out is what you put in, and with effort grey water can be eco-friendly.

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Sorry to disagree again Peter but the cycle of rainfall in this country does not run to a timetable so our native plants have evolved to use what is available when it is available. The bonus of a bit of GREY water is just that a bonus.

Alan

Ron-D · Guru

Where does the fabulous grey water tank get emptied,I have never ever seen anyone at a dump point empty anything but cassette,I spoke to one guy about it the answer was you simply crack the drain valve while your driving to the next site,and I just have the thing for the very rare occasions where it might be required ...

dogbox · Guru

not sure if the bikers would like to hear that you crack the drain valve while driving to next site
would it not leave a residue on the road that could be slippery next time it rained

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

There is no problem emptying grey water into a dump point.
Dropping it onto the road is both potentially dangerous for others and illegal.
Often, the roadside verge is appropriate. No native vegetation to affect and no access to any natural water channels.
The use of a grey water tank gives you options of where and when to dispose of it.

Cheers,
Peter

Colin Penrose · Senior Member

Okay, here is what I do. After eating, plates and frying pans are cleaned with paper towel. Dishes are then washed in Eco friendly detergent and piped onto trees away from vans etc. We shower using no more than 8 litres of water with bio degradable washing products. Again put onto trees and vegetation away from vans. We recently stayed at the free camp at Walgett. I don't they have had rain for many months. The trees sighed with relief as I poured a couple of litres of shower water around them. I don't believe that I am harming anything with what I do. Col P.

macka17 · Guru

Just be sure you run a perforated hose. at least 3 to 6 mtrs long (Dia of outlet.

Helps to spread it out over the ground.
NOT just one dump out of end of drain pipe under van.
I link my shower out to it too. To help flush the hose.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Macka, shower water IS grey water.

Cheers,

Peter

BruDi · Senior Member

In SA during the drought we were encouraged to put our grey water onto our gardens. We were just asked to ensure that we used potassium free detergents for washing clothes etc. Also I always use water and detergent when our plants get aphids etc rather than commercial insecticide. Takes a bit longer but is effective and safe.

Di

Tony Bev · Guru

I have come across one roadside free camp, where the dump point was full, (between Carnarvon, and Port Hedland), sometime last year

They had put a sign up, saying do not use it, until it is pumped out

I will assume that some dump points, are not suitable to absorb, everyone's grey water

Darmc · Veteran Member

Hello Colin, detergents with low sodium and no phosphorus would be recommended. There are many districts where too much fertiliser containing salts have ruined the ecology and farmland is turned to waste. Like parts of the Murray River and some W A areas.
Different native plants tolerate various soil conditions.
I read with interest where many people use harsh bleach powders for there toilet, not sure if they are good for the bacteria, which is used in composting toilets. Many of the effects of our lifestyle may not be known for 10 years or more, It would be good if everyone cared just a little more about this beautiful country. Leave it they way we found it.
Many local councils ban the use of grey water hoses, except if you have a grey water system installed, however, as drought conditions are increasing, I am sure more inland councils will ease these restrictions.

Care for your Country
Darmc

-- Edited by Darmc on Sunday 8th of October 2017 04:47:46 PM

rockylizard · Guru

Darmc wrote:
SNIP~~~
I read with interest where many people use harsh bleach powders for their toilet, not sure if they are good for the bacteria, which is used in composting toilets. ~~~SNIP
Care for your Country
Darmc

Gday...

Actually Rob, toilet 'water' is black water ... it should NEVER be discharged onto the ground but should be discharged into a dump point.

The discussion is regarding releasing grey water onto the ground/grass/bushes/trees.

Cheers - John

Dick0 · Guru

Hi Colin,

Have never known anything negative about discharging grey water onto trees and plants, my understanding is that it is beneficial to those plants rather than detrimental. What is annoying, though, are the campers that do not direct their grey water well away from camping sites and the next camper then parks in their leftover quagmire. smile smile smile

barrie · Guru

Brewry Flats Narrandera h as a huge sign saying se,f contained vechicles only, most had buckets but two motor homes just let it drop on the ground .Another camp that could close because people not following rules.

Darmc · Veteran Member

My apologies, for, like on many other topics where readers have digressed from the original subject. I realised the topic was about grey water, but both subjects relate to the health of the environment and fellow travellers. With some areas having increased cases of flesh eating infections ( Victoria) and meningococcal (NT) and other soil born bacterias we should be very mindful how and where we dispose of our waste. Left over scraps in dishwashing water can increase the number of disease carrying vermin. Just looking at the big picture and what footprint is being left behind for future generations.

Sorry for not keeping to the topic
Darmc

-- Edited by Darmc on Sunday 8th of October 2017 08:43:42 PM

-- Edited by Darmc on Sunday 8th of October 2017 11:29:43 PM

SouthernComfort · Guru

During the long drought in Melbourne, for 10 yrs we were actively encouraged by state Govt during heavy water restrictions to retain and use grey water on gardens. Washing machines, showers etc pumping into storage buckets/bins and thrown on lawns, trees, everything. Many people still wash cars on lawns (with detergents). Never seen, or been aware of any harmful effect on vegetation, my garden of mixed vegetation (native and other) appreciated it much better than the alternative i.e. curl up and die!