Grey waste

[Oldrat]

Like most, our grey waste consists of waste water from the shower, bathroom basin and kitchen sink.

However we religiously wipe our plates etc with kitchen roll almost completely clean before washing up as
a) it uses far less water and
b) it keeps foodstuffs out of the grey waste.

We also use eco friendly products.

I also regularly clean my tanks.

I’m very conscious of where I empty the grey tank both in terms of the impression it gives to onlookers, and are careful not to do any harm.

More than happy to use waste disposal facilities if available, if not then we’ll discretely use rough waste land or a road drain. The rubbish that gets washed off my motorcycles/ cars eventually into the roadway drains, is far less eco friendly (volatile surfactants/ degreasing agents, waxy soap products) than the water coming out of my grey waste.

Black waste - we always use a disposal point or our own loo when we get home.

“Leave no trace”

 

[Jo662]

Yet we don't give a toss about farm lorrys dribbling piss out the back, Horse boxes doing the same, Fish lorries leaving miles of smelly lines away from the fishing ports around the Country

Maybe they forgot!

They havnt got a tap they can close .

 

[bigtwin]

PS. We very rarely see caravans leaving sites with water pouring out their waste, so why do we??

Because they don’t have onboard tanks.

Ian

 

[Stealaway]

As a newbie - grey water is confusing. Just been on a CL, no signs for grey so left it on board and will empty at tonight’s c&cc site. Last week at CL person next to us said to just empty on the grass, so I did a loop of the field to empty before we went on the road (though I left tap open). What is the done thing when no Motorhome service point?

As above is the accepted method - You did good
But not in Germany - its illegal.
Generally in Europe there are many more grey drainage points to drive over

 

[L' Hobo]

Because they don’t have onboard tanks.

Ian

So, if they can dispose of it responsibly, so can we! Can we not carry a waste water container just like they do.
Onboard tanks do not mean a lot if we throw it all over the road at the first opportunity that presents itself!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtwin]

So, if they can dispose of it responsibly, so can we! Can we not carry a waste water container just like they do.
Onboard tanks do not mean a lot if we throw it all over the road at the first opportunity that presents itself!

We can all dispose of waste responsibly but, evidently, some take a different approach to you.

Ian

 

[Nedge68]

Agreed - we arrived at C&CC site tonight and were asked not to empty at Motorhome service point but just empty on pitch as they are on a septic tank. I think I will invest in a waste master so that where there are grey waste disposal points on CLs and the like I can use them without feeling bad!

 

[hja]

On CLs we always ask the owner when we arrive. Normal answer is to empty into hedge. We have a pipe to attach to our waste outlet to do just that. Also allows us to empty into drain if not a drive over.

 

[rosalan]

As long as our law does not prohibit leaving wet trails on the road and there is no hint of inforcing action, all the tut tuting is a waste of breath to many

 

[gus-lopez]

On the roadway is illegal. always has been under Environmental health laws 6 road traffic laws.

You need a licence to discharge in to rain water sewers or where it might end up in them

For those of you who wash your cars/ vans, what do you do with the soapy water?

Like everyone they illegally discharge down rainwater gullies.It is just that although the UK has the laws no one enforces them.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/discharges-to-surface-water-and-groundwater-environmental-permits

How does the OP know the were all dumping grey water, it could have been clean water from the tanks no longer needed couldn't it, and are we talking a short dribble or a lengthy full flow I wonder.

still against the law .How does anyone know what it is?

there was a bloke fined £1,000 about 30 years back for spraying the road behind him like james Bond.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[stevewagner]

I hope the OP doesn't mind me answering but, if it is done the night before you leave, with the weather we have had lately, it would have soaked into the ground by morning and, as there will be no-one camping at the showground for a few days, no-one will be affected.

Grey water steaming down the road because Funsters, and others, cannot be bothered to get rid of their waste responsibly, is not the image we want to give to the general public.
Is there any wonder Councils do not want M/H parking in their area?

PS. We very rarely see caravans leaving sites with water pouring out their waste, so why do we??

Because caravans have separate external portable waste tanks

 

[Just smiffy]

Oh come on people…. Everyone knows you save it all up and empty the tanks when you’ve got a load of cyclists behind you….

 

[Just smiffy]

As above is the accepted method - You did good
But not in Germany - its illegal.
Generally in Europe there are many more grey drainage points to drive over

View attachment 663699

I recognise that service point….

 

[JJ]

I have never ever, ever heard a non-motorhomer mention grey water dripping on the road, ever.

I'm pretty sure the only folk who get their knickers in a twist about it are motorhomers themselves...

As far as I am concerned each motorhome user can deal with their grey water however they want.

JJ

 

[L' Hobo]

Because caravans have separate external portable waste tanks

Strangely enough, so could you.
I have and used the wastewater on my lawn when I got home. Saved myself ££££ this year.
(They can be bought at Caravan Accessory shops)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[L' Hobo]

As far as I am concerned each motorhome user can deal with their grey water however they want.

So, next time you're in Portugal, that another problem solved, just PM JJ for his address.

 

[JJ]

So, next time you're in Portugal, that another problem solved, just PM JJ for his address.

??????

JJ

 

[Bramidan]

Really new here only done two trips but following the article on here about the grey waste tank smelling, plates etc are now wiped to ensure nothing goes into the tank. Thank you for that, we previously had a folding camper so it went straight out into the grey waste container.
After our trips we emptied grey waste into watering cans and watered the plants.
I do accept a change will be needed when we embark on our long trips.
Got to say I love this site, keeps me out of mischief.
I see Turkish flag appeared, that is where we are currently. Next March/April the trip will be done with the motorhome, on 6 previous occasions we used the FC but confined to campsites because we felt exposed. Looking forward to the luxury and ease that the MH will give us as well as not being constrained heading to sites that we had to get to.
Having said that the Pennine FC was superb, with age it was getting tiring.

 

[PP Bear]

Funnily enough, I’ve NEVER seen peas, carrots, bits of potatoes or any other debris in anyones grey waste. Narrowboats let exactly the same waste go into the canals and it’s never harmed the little fishies, or upset the anglers, so I let mine go where and when I can, especially on the grass.

Also never seen anyone arrive at a grey soaked pitch. It’s probably around 50-80 litres at most, so hardly enough to go surfing on. Also after years of motorcycling, I ain’t never seen or heard of anyone having a spill on a bit of grey waste. Honestly I think people just like to bitch and moan wherever possible.

Nope, just let it go.

 

[TDub49]

Define "grey water". I'm guessing that it is a comfortable catch-all description for something that could contain a range of toxic pollutants, depending on the life style and habits of the motorhomers concerned.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

[AMS=article, 46][/AMS]

 

[Stealaway]

I recognise that service point….

Yep - Montreuil.
Great handy, free, stop over.
We stopped there this year on what happened to be market day. Spend a nice morning mooching round and bought a hot chicken for tea - as you do

 

[Larrynwin]

I rarely use the holding tank but drain directly into tote tank for disposal , this ensures that the tank , with the occasional bottom flush stay free of smelly residue.

Once grey tote tank is full I use contents to wash away contents of cassette under hedgerow.

 

[JJ]

A great deal of the time my waste tank tap is left open...

...the land owner doesn't mind in the slightest.


JJ

 

[L' Hobo]

A great deal of the time my waste tank tap is left open...

...the land owner doesn't mind in the slightest.


JJ

I think we had already guessed that.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JJ]

I think we had already guessed that.

Really?

That is interesting...

JJ

 

[Reallyretired]

Agreed - we arrived at C&CC site tonight and were asked not to empty at Motorhome service point but just empty on pitch as they are on a septic tank. I think I will invest in a waste master so that where there are grey waste disposal points on CLs and the like I can use them without feeling bad!

I carry a waste master, they don't weigh much but are bulky but we have a large garage. Used recently on a c&cc site that didn't have a driveover.
Not weighing much is not true when full however .

 

[WESTY66]

I’ve never bought into that one. I rode a motorbike for 25 years in London. Ridden through oil, diesel, dog shit, vomit, ice, car wash suds etc. None of these are as slippy as a dewy wet white line.

Well maybe you should Jim, I’ve hit the deck very hard on shower water running out of the shower units at knockhill paddock. Fortunately all that was damaged on the bike was a 7k factory Suzuki radiator (it was Jamie Whithams 1998 world super bike that he rode to third at Monza!) as it had no fairings on or they would have been trashed too!
I will concede that the brakes were binding a little, nevertheless shower water is slippy