• Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Contact
home/Knowledge Base/Boondocking Water and Sewage/Can I Dump my Gray Water on the Ground?
Popular Search:Solar Panels, Battery Banks, Joshua Tree

Can I Dump my Gray Water on the Ground?

42440 views 46

Written by Steve Johnson
March 24, 2019

dumping a gray tank on the groundDumping your gray water, or emptying your gray tank, is generally only permitted on BLM “public lands”, these are the lands typically open for dispersed camping.

Everywhere else, it’s illegal.

Note: the following research was conducted from United States Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) as of March 2019…

Bureau of Land Management

It’s not illegal to dump gray water, or empty your gray tanks, on the ground in open, public BLM areas. This is primarily where dispersed camping is allowed. However, in areas where the BLM manages developed campgrounds, recreational areas, or wildlife preserves, they may prohibit such activity on a case-by-case basis.

The BLM has adopted regulations with respect to this issue…

    • CFR Title 43. Public Lands: Interior
    • Subtitle B. Regulations Relating to Public Lands
    • Chapter II. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    • Subchapter H. RECREATION PROGRAMS
    • Part 8360. VISITOR SERVICES
    • Subpart 8365. Rules of Conduct
    • Section 8365.1-1. Sanitation.

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;

The regulation does not specifically define, “wash water”, but it is understood to mean any water that was used for washing purposes (i.e. hands, dishes, showering, clothes, brushing teeth, etc.), which meets the definition of gray water, or water from a gray tank. Generally, as long as your gray tank contains water that was used for washing, it’s legal to dump it on the ground.

Note: Some boondockers have stated that this only applies to gray water from a shower or sink that was captured in a tub or bucket, but water that was allowed to drain into the gray tank is not. However, the actual Code of Federal Regulation (above) does not make this distinction.

U.S. Forestry Service

Officially, it’s illegal to dump gray water on the ground. Many boondockers, however, have reported that they were given permission by forest rangers to dump their gray water on the ground. Because laws and rules are only as effective as the officials who enforce them, the matter is a case-by-case basis.

The US Forestry Service has adopted the following regulations with respect to this issue…

    • CFR Title 36. Parks, Forests, and Public Property
    • Chapter II. FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    • Part 261. PROHIBITIONS
    • Subpart A. General Prohibitions
    • Section 261.11. Sanitation.

The following are prohibited:

(b) Possessing or leaving refuse, debris, or litter in an exposed or unsanitary condition.

(c) Placing in or near a stream, lake, or other water any substance which does or may pollute a stream, lake, or other water.

(d) Failing to dispose of all garbage, including any paper, can, bottle, sewage, waste water or material, or rubbish either by removal from the site or area, or by depositing it into receptacles or at places provided for such purposes.

National Park Service

It’s illegal to dump gray water, or drain gray tanks, on the ground.

The National Park Service has adopted the following regulations with respect to this issue…

  • CFR Title 36. Parks, Forests, and Public Property
  • Chapter I. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
  • Part 2. RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION
  • Section 2.14. Sanitation and refuse.

(a) The following are prohibited:

(1) Disposing of refuse in other than refuse receptacles.

(4) Draining refuse from a trailer or other vehicle, except in facilities provided for such purpose.

(6) Polluting or contaminating park area waters or water courses.

(8) In developed areas, the disposal of human body waste, except at designated locations or in fixtures provided for that purpose.

(9) In nondeveloped areas, the disposal of human body waste within 100 feet of a water source, high water mark of a body of water, or a campsite, or within sight of a trail, except as otherwise designated.

The National Park Service specifically defines “refuse” as…

Refuse means trash, garbage, rubbish, waste papers, bottles or cans, debris, litter, oil, solvents, liquid waste, or other discarded materials.

Bureau of Reclamation

Generally, it is illegal to dump gray water on the ground.

The Bureau of Reclamation has adopted the following regulations with respect to this issue…

    • CFR Title 43. Public Lands: Interior
    • Subtitle B. Regulations Relating to Public Lands
    • Chapter I. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    • Part 423. PUBLIC CONDUCT ON BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FACILITIES, LANDS, AND WATERBODIES
    • Subpart C. Rules of Conduct
    • Section 423.34. Sanitation.

(a) You must not bring or improperly dispose of refuse on Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies. Both the owner and the person bringing or disposing refuse may be issued a citation for violating this provision.

The Bureau defines, “refuse” as…

Refuse means any human or pet waste, litter, trash, garbage, rubbish, debris, contaminant, pollutant, waste liquid, or other discarded materials.

Because the Bureau of Reclamation is focused on bodies of water (lakes and rivers), it’s understandable that dumping waste water of any kind on the ground is not permitted.

Army Corps of Engineers

Dumping of gray water and draining of gray tanks on the ground is illegal.

The Army Corps of Engineers has adopted the following regulations with respect to this issue…

  • CFR Title 36. Parks, Forests, and Public Property
  • Chapter III. CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
  • Part 327. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC USE OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
  • Section 327.9. Sanitation.

(a) Garbage, trash, rubbish, litter, gray water, or any other waste material or waste liquid generated on the project and incidental to authorized recreational activities shall be either removed from the project or deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose. The improper disposal of such wastes, human and animal waste included, on the project is prohibited.

(c) The spilling, pumping, discharge or disposal of contaminants, pollutants or other wastes, including, but not limited to, human or animal waste, petroleum, industrial and commercial products and by-products, on project lands or into project waters is prohibited.

Because the Army Corps of Engineers is largely focused on constructions projects around water ways, it’s understandable why dumping gray water on the ground is not allowed.

State Public Lands (Parks, Forests, Beaches, etc.)

State laws and regulations vary from state to state, and vary from one park, forest, or beach to the next.

  • Even if you are camped on BLM or USFS land, your waste water may flow or drain into underground aquifers leading to sources of drinking water (lakes, rivers, steams, reservoirs). Most states have laws and regulations under the scope of public safety or environmental quality that make it a crime to pollute these sources. Hence, even if it’s perfectly legal to dump gray water on BLM land, state officials may still cite (and arrest) you for violating state laws.
  • Many local water districts own land located well away from homes, businesses, and often times these properties border BLM and USFS lands. In Southern California, for example, the Metropolitan Water District owns millions of acres of land, many of which is located next to BLM and USFS areas. Be careful when dumping gray water that water district employees are not nearby, or else may bring charges against you for polluting their water sources.
  • Many states are now permitting the use of gray water to irrigate lawns and gardens, but it’s only permitted when gray water is used primarily for this purpose, and not as a secondary benefit from dumping RV tanks.

Idaho

    • Department of Parks & Recreation…

IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, IDAPA 26.01.20…

200. CAMPING.

06. Liquid Waste Disposal. All gray water and sewage wastes shall be held in self-contained units or collected in water-tight receptacles in compliance with state adopted standards and dumped in sanitary facilities provided for the disposal of such wastes.

    • Department of Fish and Game…

IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 13.01.03…

100. PUBLIC USE RESTRICTIONS.

01. Activities Prohibited Without Director Authorization. Unless specifically authorized by the Commission or under lease, permit, contract, or agreement issued by the Director, Regional Supervisor, or other authorized agent, the following activities are PROHIBITED:

l. To discard dead fish, birds, animals, or parts or remains thereof, waste water, metallic cans, bottles, plastic or paper cartons, shotgun shell casings, yard and agricultural wastes, garbage, machines, appliances, or other litter on or in any lands or waters.

    • Department of Lands (State Endowment Lands)…

The Department has not yet adopted general regulations with respect to the dumping of waste water, including black water. However, the Department has carved out 10 different “supervisory areas” of the State for the purpose of managing endowment lands, and each area is authorized to establish its own policies with respect to waste water, gray water, black water, sewage, and refuse.

 

Keywords: gray water dumping, grey water dumping, rules for dumping gray water, rules for dumping grey water

Was this helpful?

46 Yes  No
Related Articles
  • Do You Need a Permit to Camp in Arizona?
  • Is it Legal to Camp Anywhere in a National Forest?
  • Camping on Alaska State Trust Land
  • Camping on State Trust Lands
  • Camping on Washington State Trust Lands
  • Camping on Utah State Trust Lands
Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Boondocking Water and Sewage
  • Can I Dump my Gray Water on the Ground?
  • Is It Legal to Dump Composting Toilet Waste on the Ground?
  • Can I Dump Grey Water Anywhere?
  • Flushing the Toilet with Shower Water
  • How to Take a Shower when Boondocking
  • How Can I Make Water Safer To Drink?
View All 12  
Popular Articles
  • Is it Illegal to Live in a Tent in Your Backyard?
  • Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power?
  • What Do the Different Colors Mean on Google Maps?
  • Is Nude Camping Legal on Federal Lands?
  • Do I Need a Generator for Boondocking?
KB Categories
  • Getting Started With Boondocking
  • Costs
  • How to Find Boondocking Sites
  • Outfitting Your RV
  • Boondocking Safety
  • Boondocking Myths
  • Boondocking in National Forests
  • Boondocking in National Parks
  • Boondocking Etiquette
  • Boondocking Rules
  • Boondocking on BLM Land
  • Boondocking on National Wildlife Refuges
  • Boondocking on Bureau of Reclamation Lands
  • Boondocking and Off-Road Vehicles
  • Boondocking Water and Sewage
  • Overnight Parking
  • Boondocking Electrical
  • Boondocking Tips
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Idaho Department of Transportation
These Dealers Sell Boondocking Trailers
custom outfitters
boondockers bible logo

We answer your questions about Boondocking, Free Camping, and Overnight Parking using facts and actual experiences. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. Elevate your RVing and car-camping and become a boondocker!

Useful Help Links
  • Weekly Boondocking Series
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • © 2019-2021 Too Much Tina. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Search:Solar Panels, Battery Banks, Joshua Tree
Rugged, lightweight boondocking trailers...
Go!