Boondocking and grey water

hammick · 06-09-2014, 09:23 PM

We bought a 38 acre tract of land in Montana. It is bordered on one side by state land and the other side by BLM land. It's about a mile from the Custer National Forest in the Beartooth foothills.

Hopefully we will put a house on it in 15 or so years but for now will camp on it a couple times a year and maybe put up a pole barn type garage to store the trailer.

Looking for people's thoughts about trickling out grey water into a dry well (basically a hole filled with gravel). The terrain is scrub brush and seems very porous. The dry well will be down hill of the Trailer and if we install a water well it will be uphill of the Trailer at least 100 feet from the dry well.

We will use environmentally safe soaps and will wipe our dishes clean of food before washing them. Our black water will be dumped at a proper dumping station.

I know this is our own land and we can do what we want within reason but I don't want to harm any water supplies.

rockfordroo · 06-09-2014, 09:38 PM

It may be your own land, but you should be checking with the county or township about permits and what the law may say about wells and (essentially) septic systems.

hammick · 06-09-2014, 09:44 PM

I have the name of the guy for the county that I plan to call.

My understanding is that the killer of septic systems is lack of use so we won't be putting one in until a house goes in.

Grey water recycling for irrigation is the new trend in water stricken areas. Even California allows it.

Phil57 · 06-09-2014, 10:00 PM

There is nothing wrong with your idea. A small drain field will take care of the gray water just fine. You may see some extra plant growth Im that area.

Phil57 · 06-09-2014, 10:02 PM

Just had a thought what about putting in a outhouse? Sure would gut down on the black tank.

hammick · 06-09-2014, 10:07 PM

It took me a year to convince my wife that we can use the crapper for more than just peeing. Our trailer has nice throne. 40 gallons of black water is a lot of crap.

08flagvlite · 06-09-2014, 10:09 PM

You did say GRAY WATER, not any black water, so that really should not present a problem. Sometimes, you may be opening a can of worms by checking with the county- by that I mean they may require much more than you really need for your grey water needs. I know here in Florida, it would be an issue. It sounds as if you are pretty far off the beaten path, (neighborhoods) so........

Ford Idaho · 06-09-2014, 10:09 PM

If you plan on building a house there you will need to install a septic tank and drain field as per county/state regulation.
Do it now because in 15 or so years you may not be able to and it WILL be more expensive.

With that done hook the trailer in and worry not.

Still Kickin · 06-09-2014, 10:21 PM

Hi, I'm from the government and I am here to help you. Yeah right. From what you said, you are being very responsible. If your of the belief that they will offer you guidance, and give you pointers, beyond what you have already said in your OP, your in uncharted territory.
Be responsible and leave the government out of it. IMO.

hammick · 06-09-2014, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

If you plan on building a house there you will need to install a septic tank and drain field as per county/state regulation.
Do it now because in 15 or so years you may not be able to and it WILL be more expensive.

With that done hook the trailer in and worry not.

Good point but I was told by a septic installer that only using it a couple times a year will not inject enough bacteria to let it work properly and it will freeze in the winter if not used regularly.

Ford Idaho · 06-09-2014, 10:56 PM

Stack straw bales over the top of it for insulation.

Third one from the bottom.

https://www.google.com/#q=Keeping+a+...system+working

Twisty · 06-09-2014, 10:56 PM

"trickling out grey water into a dry well (basically a hole filled with gravel)"
Go for it. It will work very well for now.

wyo700 · 06-09-2014, 11:23 PM

I do nothing but boondock camp and this is all we ever do. Even have had forest service come by and they have never said a word about it. I don't see what you would ever be hurting.

rburns4147 · 06-10-2014, 01:58 PM

Every time I wash the car or truck in the driveway there is some soap that goes into the soil. So I am not too concerned about dribbling gray water out of a holding tank onto the ground.

**Herk7769** · 06-10-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

If you plan on building a house there you will need to install a septic tank and drain field as per county/state regulation.
Do it now because in 15 or so years you may not be able to and it WILL be more expensive.

With that done hook the trailer in and worry not.

Times a million.

Do it now. You may not be able to soon enough.
There are rules in some areas about capturing rain water on your own property! It seems they feel you are "stealing" the run off that the county can resell back to you.

ChooChooMan74 · 06-10-2014, 02:06 PM

Can I add, maybe research and use a composting RV toilet? I have seen the Blog "Gone with the Wynns" talk about it on their blog and YouTube channels.

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/gonewiththewynns

Sent from my Samsung Note 8 Tablet using the FRF Android App!

boss mare · 06-10-2014, 03:36 PM

I boondocks all the time and I am the biggest tree hugging conservationist you will find. I think your idea is great. Take care of any and all land. Not everything has to be treated and cleaned. Sometimes letting Mother Nature compost it is just fine

jonnys_walkers · 08-24-2014, 10:27 AM

We have visited campgrounds where water is a scarcity. They encourage you to put your grey water on the roadways to keep the dust down and percolate down to replentish the aquifer.
Building your septic field now is a good idea as regs and costs change.

hankpac · 10-23-2014, 05:16 PM

Dropping it down that dry well is a good idea. Letting it pour onto the surface is not such a great idea, simply because of food particles that are carried in the water. These attract flies, and even larger scavengers. You don't need that kind of trouble. You can put a cap on the drain that has a hose hook up, and leave the grey water valve open, while using it. You can also use a blue boy, to drain the black tank (15 or 20 gallons may be all you can lift) to avoid having to move the entire rig. Build a small outdoor privy for urination for the ladies, since men have the entire world as their urinal.
Be sure to work out what you are going to do to keep squirrels and mice out of the rig. Especially if you are going to leave it there.

Sirwriter · 01-03-2015, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammick

Good point but I was told by a septic installer that only using it a couple times a year will not inject enough bacteria to let it work properly and it will freeze in the winter if not used regularly.

I put in my own septic tank, but for the grey water I dug a 6' deep by 4' wide hole and filled it with course gravel (2"). About a foot below the top I installed close to 125' of 4" perforated pipe. The galley and grey water tank both empty into that. But I would not ask the officials if I could.

As far as an outhouse, I believe those are outlawed just about everywhere now.

Sirwriter

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