America’s Environmental Protection Agency has claimed that a family comprising four persons generates 400 gallons of greywater daily. In other words, one person may generate 100 gallons of greywater daily.
Think about the massive volume of greywater a country with over 332 million people would generate every day. It would be massive.
We all must play our role in protecting the environment. We must learn to dispose of wastewater appropriately. Greywater can be beneficial. It contains less contaminants than black water, and you can use it to water plants.
However, some people believe there’s nothing wrong with dumping greywater on private properties. If you happen to be among such people, read this post before dumping your greywater on any private property.
Let’s address the question below before discussing more on greywater.
Can you dump grey water on private property?
Yes, you can if the property belongs to you. For example, you can use the water on plants in your garden. But if you don’t have a garden and want to dump greywater on your property, ensure you don’t dump dirt with the water.
Again, even if you own the property, it would make sense to learn about the state and local laws where you live. Find out the laws about dumping greywater on the land. Why? Some states put greywater in the same category as black water, though the former isn’t as toxic as the latter.
Now, can you dump greywater on someone else’s property? The answer to this question is simple. But, first, you have to seek the owner’s permission before driving your truck to their land.
Without permission, dumping greywater on someone else’s private property could land you in big trouble. Don’t forget it’s the person’s property and not yours.
What should you do if someone allows you to dump your greywater on their private property? Thank them, and don’t mess up their space. Use a screen to trap the hair, grease, and food particles that may want to accompany the greywater.
Keep reading to know more about greywater disposal.
Can You Dump Your Grey Water Anywhere?
Greywater is wastewater with less contaminants. Thus, many people don’t expect to face any resistance when dumping it on the ground, anywhere.
Now, let’s discuss the question, “can you dump greywater anywhere?” No, you can’t dump it anywhere you like. Some states frown at such an act.
However, there are areas in the United States where you can dump your greywater and go scot-free. You won’t be violating any law by doing so. But don’t forget that the law can change at any time. Laws in the United States also differ from state to state.
A Handy Tip: Arizona boasts the strictest laws regarding greywater dumping on the ground.
What Can You Do With Grey Water From Camping?
Try to get the opinions of different campers. You’ll notice that the way each camper dumps their greywater differs from person to person.
Some campers suggest dumping greywater where it won’t pose any environmental risk. Thus, they’re against dumping greywater near water bodies or camping grounds.
Now, here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter the kind of greywater you’re dumping. Just be a good person and discard the wastewater properly.
What is the most acceptable way of dumping greywater? First, dump your wastewater in a dump station.
You can ask the people around the area for the location of the nearest dump station. Then plan the easiest and quickest route to get there on your way out.
If you have little children, be a good citizen and dump your wastewater appropriately. The kids and adults around will learn from you.
Unfortunately, there are campers with less patience. They don’t fancy driving a truck with over 150 pounds of wastewater. These categories of people don’t care about the environment and can empty their trucks anywhere.
Empty your greywater into a dump station. It’s the safest and legal way to dispose of your wastewater.
Grey Water Vs. Black Water: What Is The Difference?
Before sharing the difference between greywater and black water, let’s discuss their similarities.
Greywater and black water boast some similarities. Firstly, they’re both wastewaters. In other words, both are “used water.”
Another similarity is that greywater and black water contain impurities and contaminants. But the type of contaminants they both have is different. For example, greywater may contain food particles, grease, and hair, while black water may contain feces.
Furthermore, it’s possible to recycle both wastewaters. And after treatment, you can use the water for cleaning and watering plants.
You can recycle greywater and black water via various biological or mechanical processes. Some of the methods used include distillation, composting, and filtration.
Now, what are the differences between greywater and black water?
Firstly, both are stored in separate tanks. Why? They boast different levels of contaminants, and therefore, their treatments differ.
Blackwater originates from different sources. It includes water from the bathroom and toilet, which may contain feces.
You can use blackwater for cleaning or watering plants. But keep in mind that this water usually contains loads of disease-causing bacteria.
So, you must treat black water carefully before using it. Otherwise, you could damage the crops in your garden. Blackwater can even destroy your lawn when used without treatment.
Remember that pathogens in black water don’t decompose easily and, therefore, could harm your plants if not properly treated.
Another name for black water is brown water or sewage water. And floodwater from overflowing bodies of water after heavy rain or natural disaster (hurricane, tsunami, or typhoon) can be called black water. Why? The flood usually combines with sewage water and can have loads of bacteria.
Now, what is greywater?
Greywater includes wastewater from the washing machines, bathtub, and sink. This wastewater is a breeze to treat and process. Why? It contains less contaminants than black water.
Tips On How To Dispose Grey Water At Home
The US Environmental Protection Agency has stated that a family of four generates 400 gallons of greywater daily. So you can imagine what the entire country generates daily.
The issue is not how much wastewater people generate. What counts is how people dispose of greywater.
You can dispose of greywater in several ways. We’ll discuss each method here.
- Do not dispose of your greywater anywhere you deem fit. Establish contact with your local authority to learn about local ordinances regarding greywater disposal.
- Have a budget plan. It would make sense to clearly understand how much you’re willing to spend to evacuate your greywater. Several inexpensive options exist, but they don’t include professional assistance. You may have to spend higher if you want professional assistance in disposing of wastewater.
- Get a big enough bucket and use it to collect water from your sink directly. Don’t store the water. Just use it to irrigate your garden once collected. Consider using the water within a day or as quickly as possible. Why? Bacteria buildup is possible when you leave wastewater exposed for too long.
- Install a system that allows water from the washing machine to flow directly into your lawn or garden.
A Handy Tip: Not all greywater is ideal for gardening. The type of soap used determines if certain greywater is good for watering plants.
Consider using liquid soap in your washing machine. Why? It is safe for plants. Avoid detergent and bleach. Ingredients like sodium perborate and bleach can harm your plants.
Conclusion
Can you dump grey water on private property? Yes, you can if the property belongs to you. But make an effort to understand your area’s federal and state laws regarding greywater disposal. Don’t dispose of greywater on your property unless you’re sure that such an act won’t land you in trouble.
On the other hand, if the property belongs to someone else, seek the individual’s permission. For example, let them know you would like to use your wastewater to water their garden. If the individual refuses, find the nearest dump station and dump your greywater there.
