The short answer is, “No” you cannot dump grey water anywhere. However, there are places where it is legal to dump grey water the ground, at least by Federal laws and regulations. State laws on grey water dumping, however, can be a different matter.
Can I Dump Grey Water Anywhere?
Part of the answer to this question, lies in what is defined as “grey water”. All six of the federal agencies that manage public recreation lands, address the dumping of grey water and black water. Only the BLM, however, makes an exception for “wash water”.
The BLM Rule on Dumping Wash Water
The BLM’s rule allowing campers to dump “wash water” on the ground, applies only on its “public lands”, which are lands that the BLM has not designated for any other uses or protections….
§ 8365.1-1 Sanitation.
(b) On all public lands, no person shall, unless otherwise authorized:
(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;
What Exactly is Wash Water?
The BLM does not define “wash water”. Hence, it is open to interpretation by both campers and BLM officers. It’s understood by most boondockers, however, to mean any water that was used for washing, which can be a lot of things, including showering, washing dishes, brushing teeth, scrubbing floors, etc.
There are some boondockers who argue that “wash water” must be captured in a tub or bucket in order to be eligible for dumping on the ground. That is, any water that entered a grey tank, or other sewage tank, is not permitted to be dumped on the ground. However, the BLM, on a nationwide level, has never made such a policy. This was started by a camper who took some advice from a BLM officer, and then spread the news around, and somehow it took hold.
Each BLM Field Office May Adopt Tougher Rules
The BLM allows each of its state offices and field offices to adopt additional rules that apply only to their jurisdictions. These rules are issued by the office director, and may be retracted at any time. The only way to know is to contact the specific field office where you plan to camp, and ask.
The Leave No Trace 200 Feet Set Back Rule
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a private organization that stewards the “Leave No Trace” seven principles for ethical camping. Among them, are guidelines on dumping wash water. The guidelines do not address “grey tanks” nor any other holding tanks. However, it does mention that you should remain at least 200 feet away from other bodies of water (lake, river, pond, stream, etc.) when allowing wash water to pour on to the ground. Read more about this here.
All six federal agencies that manage public recreation lands have agreed to promote the “Leave No Trace” seven principles, but those principles have never been adopted as law or regulation.
Most States Have Laws Against Dumping Grey Water
Every state has a law or regulation that prohibits the dumping of grey water on the ground. They all require that you dump it where it will drain into the public sewer system. These laws, however, typically address homeowners. States also, generally, allow homeowners to use their grey water for watering lawns and gardens, but only in small amounts, such as drip systems, or so many gallons per day. Arizona has the strictest laws against dumping grey water on the ground.
State Laws Take Precedence Over Federal Recreation Lands
Five of the six federal agencies that manage public recreation lands, specifically permit state laws and regulations to apply on federal lands. Only the National Park Service maintains a policy of being independent of state laws.
Read More About Dumping Grey Water on the Ground
Read our other article, which takes a more in-depth look at the federal regulations on dumping grey water… “Can I Dump My Gray Water on the Ground?“