Dump Station Water Restriction

[danking49]

We were packing up and headed home via the campground dump station when we were told by the owner to use one of the two stations available, but to NOT waste water by filling the tanks. Being relatively new to the RV side of camping, I have a few questions. Are you also experiencing this sort of water use restrictions? And if so, how do we compensate to use less water but keep our tanks from accumulating too much crud? Just about everything I read online about the "proper" way to dump blackwater tanks involves using one or two full tanks (35-70 gallons in my case) of fresh water to flush out the tank. That's a lot of water! In a world of increasing water shortages, it seems like we should be doing more to conserve water. Thoughts, suggestions, etc??

[LANShark42]

Location?

[youroo]

Looks like RI! Youroo!!

[danking49]

Originally Posted by LANShark42

Location?

Campground in question was in MA.

[vinmaker]

That makes no sense if it is a CG in MA. We have more water then we know what to do with. You cannot drive 5 miles without passing a river, pond, lake, swamp, etc. Water is everywhere.

I say take care of your unit first. Is he going to fix the tanks if your solid waste turns to concrete?

Vin.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

That makes no sense if it is a CG in MA. We have more water then we know what to do with. You cannot drive 5 miles without passing a river, pond, lake, swamp, etc. Water is everywhere.

I say take care of your unit first. Is he going to fix the tanks if your solid waste turns to concrete?

Vin.

If it was California yes !!!! any place else in one ear and out the other.....

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by youroo

Looks like RI! Youroo!!

Stay above the Mason Dixie line, Oh Yea they don't let you below it anyway.....

[Cableman]

Here on long island some places dont want you filling your tanks a 2nd time to rinse em out, they actually jb welded the threads on the spigot! All good i clean em at home.
I think if everyone dumps/fills/dumps they have overflow problems.

[rockfordroo]

Maybe the concern wasn't "wasting water," but putting too much strain on the septic or sewer system that the water is going to end up in.

[vinmaker]

Well it sure does not sound very sanitary if they do not provide water to clean up. What is one to do with a water faucet that cannot take a hose? How is one to clean up the place? Your just gonna leave raw sewerage over the dump station with no ability to clean it up? Yuck.


Vin.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Maybe the concern wasn't "wasting water," but putting too much strain on the septic or sewer system that the water is going to end up in.

This is a real concern. If you have 50 RV's ( not a big campground) all leaving on one day after a 3 day weekend and dumping 100+ gallons of waste into the dump station, you have 5000 gallons in one day. In addition, much of this has been treated with chemicals that are not good for septic tanks. The end result is that the septic system is not capable of handling the load and a pump out is needed. The costs trickles down and site prices go up.

[B and B]

Hello. We camp at provincial parks and can not use the water to flush the black tank. About 2 gallons of water and fabric softener prior to leaving. I have bucket dumped at home once to see what is in there, nothing.

At home I add the softener and laundry detergent prior to leaving. I have never had an issue. And certainly have never use a full tank of water to flush it clean. We use standard TP as well.

Using gallons of water is just wasteful, as Bob stated the load on the septic system is very high.

[Boso]

I have only seen few people since 2003 that would hold up people trying to get to the dump while they filled their tanks up i expect you will run into some problems somewhere down the line and it won't be a conservation just a heads up

[danking49]

Originally Posted by B and B

Hello. We camp at provincial parks and can not use the water to flush the black tank. About 2 gallons of water and fabric softener prior to leaving. I have bucket dumped at home once to see what is in there, nothing.

At home I add the softener and laundry detergent prior to leaving. I have never had an issue. And certainly have never use a full tank of water to flush it clean. We use standard TP as well.

Using gallons of water is just wasteful, as Bob stated the load on the septic system is very high.

Hope this works because that is exactly what I've decided to do. The general consensus here seems to be MOST RV'rs simply do not flush their black tanks with multiple freshwater fills as SOME "experts" suggest to do. After all, it is just a holding take and the only real concern should be to avoid a large buildup of solid wastes. Keeping the level sensors working would be a plus; but certainly not a necessity.

[heavyodie]

Originally Posted by B and B

Hello. We camp at provincial parks and can not use the water to flush the black tank. About 2 gallons of water and fabric softener prior to leaving. I have bucket dumped at home once to see what is in there, nothing.

At home I add the softener and laundry detergent prior to leaving. I have never had an issue. And certainly have never use a full tank of water to flush it clean. We use standard TP as well.

Using gallons of water is just wasteful, as Bob stated the load on the septic system is very high.

I agree. Have been camping for 40 years and have never seen anybody fill there tanks and dump again, let alone twice. I would be an upset camper if I was waiting in line and people were doing that. Dump it and put a pail of water in the stool to slosh around while traveling. You can add softener and detergent to help clean it.

[greymedic]

Long Island (NY) is totally on well water and beginning to experiences problems from septic infiltration in some areas.

[Bubbamace]

I've been camping since I was 12 years old. Camper/van and now class A Motor home. Why would someone use that much water? I dump the black water tank and put a hose to it for a couple of minutes and then dump the gray water. After that, I pour in a small bottle of enzymes and a gallon of water and that's it. Let the enzymes break down the waste.

[Radio]

Our 5th wheel came equipped with a "Tornado" style tank washer.

I use a clear elbow attached to the dump valve outlet, with the hose attached to that, running water through the Tornado until I see a couple minutes clear water coming though the elbow. Done. Quick. Minimal water.

I put a 1/2 cup laundry soap down the toilet when we set up. Makes things clean up easy. Some folks use fabric softener.

I usually carry my own garden hose for this purpose. The dump station hose is usually cut off or damaged. To save space and hassle I cut my hose down to 15 ft.

[Flybob]

Once I get home, I dump about 3 gallons of hot water and about 4 oz of Odoban into the empty grey tank. Let it sit for about 15 mins and drain into a bucket. I then dump that bucket into the toilet and let sit for 15 mins and drain. That gets dumped down toilet at home. Never had a smelly holding tank is many years.

[Vince and Charlette]

You said you "read online about the "proper" way to dump blackwater tanks involves using one or two full tanks (35-70 gallons in my case) of fresh water to flush out the tank". I've never heard of using that much water. Hook up the water hose to the "black water flush" connector (if you have one) and keep it running while you are dumping. More importantly, don't try to save water when you flush solid waste in the toilet or you'll end up with something that looks like one of the great pyramids. Correct black water tank usage means proper amounts of chemicals and ample amounts of water each time you flush. I'm sure others can add to this subject since it's always been a topic of discussion on this forum. Finally, if you want some fun, ask other campers about their "black water story". Each of us has one, and most of them are ugly and not very funny until you retell the story a time or two.