Dumping Camper Waste: Sewer Or Septic?

Dumping camper waste is a dirty job, but it's necessary when RVing. While it may be tempting to drain wastewater onto the ground or into open containers, it's important to dispose of it responsibly. The only legal place to dump camper waste is at an approved dump station or sewer hookup at a campground or RV park. There are several options for where to dump camper waste, including RV parks, campgrounds, gas stations, truck stops, RV service centres, marinas, and wastewater treatment plants. It's important to check local regulations and use the proper safety equipment when dumping waste. Some places may charge a fee for dumping waste, while others offer it for free.

Camper waste disposal at home

Campervans and motorhomes offer the freedom to explore, but they also come with the responsibility of waste disposal. While it may not be a glamorous topic, proper waste disposal is essential to avoid harming the environment and complying with legal requirements. Here are some detailed instructions for disposing of camper waste at home:

Understanding Camper Waste:

Before we begin, it's important to understand the different types of waste in your camper:

• Black Water: This refers to the waste from toilets, which contains harmful bacteria. Black water must be handled with extreme care and only emptied at designated points.
• Grey Water: This is the water that goes down your sink or shower and collects in an onboard wastewater tank. It may contain chemicals from washing up liquids, shower gels, and toothpaste.
• General Waste: This includes litter and recyclable materials such as food tins, drinks containers, compost, teabags, and fruit and vegetable peelings.

Disposing of Black Water:

Black water must be disposed of at designated Chemical Disposal Points (CDP), Elsan disposal points, or Black Waste disposal points. These can be found at campsites or service points. Here are the steps to dispose of black water:

• Locate the cleanout of the residential sewer line, which is a small pipe protruding from the ground connected to the sewage system.
• Put on safety equipment, such as gloves and a protective face covering.
• Remove the end cap from the cleanout.
• Connect your disposal hose from the black water tank to the cleanout.
• Open the valve to empty the black water tank.
• Once empty, fill the black water tank with fresh water to clear any remaining waste.
• Close the valve and disconnect the hose.

Disposing of Grey Water:

Grey water should be disposed of at designated areas at campsites or motorhome service points. Do not empty grey water into parking areas, roads, or laybys. Here are the steps to dispose of grey water:

• Connect one end of the sewer hose to the grey water tank outlet on your camper.
• Put on gloves to protect your hands from any leakage.
• Connect the other end of the hose to the dump station hole, preferably with a clear elbow connection.
• Open the lever for the grey water tank to release the waste.
• Once empty, rinse out the disposal hose to keep it clean.

General Waste and Recycling:

General waste and recyclable materials should be separated and disposed of responsibly. Most campsites provide recycling areas, and supermarkets often have recycling bins. If there are no designated disposal areas, keep your waste securely stored until you can find an appropriate place. Here are some tips for general waste disposal:

• Familiarize yourself with the "leave no trace" principles to minimize your impact on the environment.
• Treat your camper like your house and separate waste and recyclable materials.
• If you are disposing of waste outside of a campsite, use larger council waste collection facilities in towns and villages.
• Most supermarkets have recycling bins, and many towns have recycling centres.

Additional Considerations:

• Always check local regulations and legal requirements for waste disposal in your area.
• Be mindful of the environment and respect the surroundings, taking only memories and leaving no trace of your travel.
• If you have a septic tank at home, consult a professional before disposing of camper waste into it.
• Consider installing a macerator to shred waste into a liquid that can be flushed down your toilet. However, this method requires additional equipment and can be costly.

Using a macerator

To use a macerator, you will need to connect the disposal hose from your RV's waste port to the macerator. Then, connect a garden hose from the macerator to your toilet. Pull the RV's valve to let the waste flow into the macerator and turn it on. The liquified waste will run into the toilet, so be prepared to flush as it fills up. Once all the waste is finished, run clean water through the setup to ensure everything is cleaned properly. This process might take a while, but you'll know it's finished when only clean water is coming from your RV.

Macerators are usually located between the RV's holding tank and the sewer line or behind the RV toilet. They can be manual, hydraulic, or electric, and some come with an automatic shut-off valve. Macerators are beneficial when parked on uneven campsites as they can pump waste over longer distances and uphill. They also help keep your sewer hose cleaner.

However, macerators require routine maintenance and cleaning. They also need extra power and water to run, which can be a concern for some RV owners. Additionally, they can be noisy and take up valuable storage space. If your macerator is manual and does not have an auto shut-off, you will need to monitor it while pumping to avoid irreparable damage if it continues to pump while the tanks are dry.

Dumping at truck stops

Dumping camper waste at truck stops is a convenient option for RVers. Here are some tips and information to help you with the process:

Finding Truck Stops with Dump Stations:

• Utilize online resources such as RV dump station websites, apps like RV LIFE Trip Wizard, or Google Maps to locate truck stops with dump stations. RV dump station websites provide interactive maps and filters to find suitable locations.
• Ask fellow RVers or locals for recommendations. Word-of-mouth can be a valuable source of information, especially from experienced RVers who have firsthand knowledge of various dump stations.

Preparing for Dumping at Truck Stops:

• Always call ahead or check online for information about the truck stop's dump station. Inquire about any fees, special directions, accessibility for large RVs, and potable water availability. This will help you avoid surprises and ensure a smooth dumping process.
• Ensure you have the necessary equipment, such as a sewer hose, connectors, and washable rubber or latex gloves, before arriving at the truck stop. Maintaining proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is crucial for your safety and hygiene.
• If you're a new RVer, familiarize yourself with the process of dumping your holding tanks. Websites and YouTube videos provide detailed step-by-step guides on emptying and maintaining your RV's holding tanks.

Examples of Truck Stop Dump Stations:

• Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers: These truck stops often have dump stations and potable water available, making them a popular choice for RVers.
• Loves Truck Stop: While some Loves locations offer free dump stations, others may charge a fee. It's always a good idea to confirm the availability and cost before planning your trip.
• TA Travel Plaza: The TA Travel Plaza in Elkhart, IN, for example, offers a dump station for a fee and may have fresh water available as well.

Additional Tips:

• Consider joining Good Sam, as they provide access to free RV dump stations across the country.
• Plan your route in advance and include free dump stations to save costs. Most dump stations charge a nominal fee, so planning can help you save money.
• Maintain and empty your holding tanks regularly. This will ensure your RV's plumbing system remains in good working condition and prevent any unpleasant surprises during your travels.

Using a portable waste tank

Step 1: Prepare the Portable Waste Tank

Position the portable waste tank near your RV's sewer drain connection. Use a short sewer hose to connect the tank to your RV. Remember to open the vent cap, usually located opposite the sewage fill, to allow air to escape while filling the tank. You can use attachments to simplify this process and monitor the flow with a clear elbow.

Step 2: Fill the Portable Waste Tank

Before filling the tank, ensure the wastewater valve is closed. Then, open the waste tank vent and empty your RV's black water tank first, followed by the grey water tank, into the portable tank. Remember that portable waste tanks usually have less capacity than your RV's tanks, so you may need to empty one tank at a time and make multiple trips.

Step 3: Transport the Portable Waste Tank

Once your RV's tanks are empty, close the waste tank vent and your RV's waste valve. Return the caps or covers to their respective openings. Now, you can transport the portable waste tank to the nearest dump station. These tanks can be rolled by hand or attached to your vehicle's hitch and towed at slow speeds, usually a maximum of 5 mph. If you need to travel a longer distance, secure the tank in an open truck bed to prevent it from moving around.

Step 4: Empty the Portable Waste Tank

Position the portable waste tank near the sewer drain connection at the dump station. For tanks with two openings, detach the sewer hose from the fill opening and cap it. Attach an adapter to the connector and place it into the dump inlet. Open the waste tank vent and pull the handle to empty the tank. You may need to tilt the tank to empty it completely. For tanks with one opening, remove the fill opening cap and attach one end of the sewer hose. Connect the clear elbow connector and adapter to the other end and place it into the dump inlet. Open the waste tank vent and lift the end opposite the fill opening to empty. You may need to lower and raise the tank several times for a complete empty.

Step 5: Clean the Portable Waste Tank

Rinsing the portable waste tank is an important final step. Keep your sewer accessories connected and the tank valve open. Remove the waste tank vent cap and attach a female-to-female drain hose adapter. Connect the dump station's rinse water hose to the adapter and turn on the water to flush out the tank. Rock the tank gently to dislodge any remaining waste particles. For tanks with two openings, you can close the side tank valve, fill the tank halfway, and then rock it to dislodge any waste before draining. For one-opening tanks, partially fill the tank, shut off the water, and tilt to rinse and drain.

Dumping at a marina

Boat marinas often have dump stations for waste disposal. These dump stations are usually available for a fee if you’re not staying at the marina. Before heading to a marina, be sure to call ahead and ask if your RV can get in and out of the space.

To dump your waste, you’ll need a sewer hose and connectors. After putting on your gloves, connect one end of the sewer hose to the tank outlet on your RV. The other end goes into the dump station hole, preferably with a clear elbow connection.

Next, open the lever for your black tank to release the waste. Emptying your black tank before the gray tank is important. After the black tank is empty, release the waste from the gray tank. The gray tank holds water from your sinks and shower and will clean out some of the toilet waste in the sewer hose from the black tank.

Frequently asked questions