Is it legal??

[farside291]

I keep getting a surprise every time I open my waste water valve. Is it legal to let it gently drip while moving down the highway. I have heard others say they have install a cap with a water hose connection on and they leave that small cap off. I know I need to fix it but just waiting for a good time.

 

[sjandbj]

From everything that i have heard it is illegal to allow any waste water to drain when traveling down the road. I have let my fresh water drain on the home and was stopped by a CHP officer and asked what was leaking from my rig. He was fine with the fresh water but said that no gray water was allowed.

 

[pegmikef]

nope! . . . but you can buy a cutoff valve you can attach to your sewer pipe and only open it when the hose is hooked up.

http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-...qid=1458587706&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+sewer+valve

 

[Doublegranch]

It is considered hazardous material "bodily waste" and is not legal to dump while driving, on the ground etc.
The fine can be extremely expensive depending on the state in which you are caught!!!!!!!
Gray water is also not legal to drain while driving or in state/federal parks on the ground.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

It is considered hazardous material "bodily waste" and is not legal to dump while driving, on the ground etc.
The fine can be extremely expensive depending on the state in which you are caught!!!!!!!
Gray water is also not legal to drain while driving or in state/federal parks on the ground.

Not to say you're not correct in your State, but here in Oregon I've walk by the "tent only" areas of a campgrounds and see wash bins...portable showers, all creating "grey water" that goes directly to the ground.

When we camp in remote locations (like the in in my picture below) I have no problem with dumping 5-10 gallons of grey water from the shower on the ground.

 

[Doublegranch]

I would suggest each check their state park rules but the Federal rules are the same in every state.
Here is a reply from BLM in AZ....Note Gray water for Federal regulations states water from a kitchen sink is "Sewage" water and not allowed to be dumped on the ground....so unless an RV had drain pipes allowing the Kitchen sink into the Black tank....it would be not legal to drain gray water.

Thank you for your recent questions regarding recreational vehicles (RV) and dispersed camping on BLM lands in Arizona. The answers to your questions are more complicated than originally thought. Although the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) found at 8365.1-1 (3) generally
excludes "wash water" from BLM's prohibition against draining or dumping, it can be specifically prohibited by Supplemental Rules issued for a specific area. This applies equally to RVers and tent campers.

TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR
CHAPTER II--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
PART 8360_VISITOR SERVICES
Subpart 8365_Rules of Conduct

Sec. 8365.1-1 Sanitation.
(3) Drain sewage or petroleum products or dump refuse or waste other than wash water from any trailer or other vehicle except in places or receptacles provided for that purpose;

There are two locations in Arizona where draining wash water is specifically prohibited by Supplemental Rules that have been established and were published in the Federal Register. They are the Long Term Visitor Areas outside of Yuma, Arizona, and Hot Well Dunes Recreation
Area east of Safford, Arizona.

A note of caution to your audience: Under State laws and regulations in Arizona, "wash water" or "gray water" from a kitchen sink or dishwasher is classified as sewage. If discharging it onto the ground from a RV or camper might cause it to enter an aquifer, the visitor could be subject to violation of State of Arizona regulations unrelated to BLM regulations. Even if the gray water is from a clotheswasher, bathroom sink, shower, or bathtub, it can only be discharged if done so according the "General Permit" practices that would apply. The practices are explained at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

In addition, if the gray water creates a hazard or a nuisance a Law Enforcement Officer can cite (or in extreme circumstances arrest) an individual. This would go
beyond simple gray water dumping, and the citation would likely be for some other offense related to degradation of resources or public health and safety issues. Law Enforcement Officers in the field have discretion in applying the laws and regulations as necessary and appropriate to protect the natural resources on the ground.

Thank you for your patience, while BLM researched the issue in order to provide accurate answers for your audience,

Carrie Templin
Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office
(602) 417-9448

The link above to the ADEQ deals mostly with home use of gray water recycling, and offers the following definition: "Gray water is defined as wastewater, collected separately from sewage, that originates from a clothes washer, bathtub, shower or sink, but not from a kitchen sink, dishwasher or toilet. Gray water is distinguished from 'black water,' which is wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks and dishwashers."


Of particular note is that a citation could occur in a situation that went "beyond simple gray water dumping, and the citation would likely be for some other offense related to degradation of resources or public health and safety issues."

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Agreed...I wouldn't dump the Galley grey tank on the ground...ever. Funny thing is, I think I dump the Galley grey tank 2 times a summer...we hardly ever use it.

 

[avvidclif]

Of particular note is that a citation could occur in a situation that went "beyond simple gray water dumping, and the citation would likely be for some other offense related to degradation of resources or public health and safety issues."

I think that's called "Don't let your alligator mouth overload your hummingbird rear"

 

[2psnapod2]

There is also the "What they don't know, won't hurt them" Rule. Taking it that you don't get caught.

 

[Flipper]

I was told that traveling down the highway without the caps on the pipes is a ticket, let alone water dripping from an uncapped pipe. I believe that to be DOT not just state law.

 

[jimtoo]

I was told that traveling down the highway without the caps on the pipes is a ticket, let alone water dripping from an uncapped pipe. I believe that to be DOT not just state law.

Hi Flipper,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and to the family. We have a great bunch of folks here with lots of information and all willing to share their knowledge when needed.

Be sure and check out our Heartland Owners Club. Join us at a rally when you can and meet lots of the great folks here and make friends for a lifetime.

Enjoy the forum and your new unit.

Jim M

 

[Flipper]

Thank you, and thank all of you for the wealth of knowledge here. I've spent literally hours reading on here the last day or so learning all kinds of little tips and tricks. Great site

 

[JohnDar]

If I have to show up to where the LE stopped you on the road for dumping waste and get all dressed up in my "special" suit, better believe you're going to get smacked with a hefty fine, along with a large bill for our coming out.

 

[Bob&Patty]

Wild animals poop and pee everywhere. Never see the animals get cited. But humans can't....seems a little lop sided to me. The "tree hugger's" strike again.

 

[Capt7383]

Wow!

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[2psnapod2]

Wild animals poop and pee everywhere. Never see the animals get cited. But humans can't....seems a little lop sided to me. The "tree hugger's" strike again.

Uncle Sams intrusion into everything. If they could they would be fining those pesty animals for pooping in the woods.

 

[StarryNight]

We were down in Texas a few years ago...when the state was experiencing a very severe drought and wild fires...the CG we were in had signs posted giving campers permission to dump their grey tanks around any trees in the area of the site, even the kitchen grey tank.
Just an FYI,
Monica

 

[FiremanBill]

not to mention just rude to other motorists... eww....

 

[boatto5er]

A friend let his fresh water tank drain as he was going down the highway. Good idea in concept. Bad for motorcycle riders.


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[2psnapod2]

The original poster was talking about a gallon or two. How many people have pulled over on the side of the road to relieve yourself? Not too much different. In the amount that is.