Irish tourist told off for waste dumping

[News]

Thursday, 20 March Marlborough Express (New Zealand)

Irish tourist told off for waste dumping

Irish tourist Ray Glynn got more than he bargained for when he emptied grey water waste from a campervan in a Picton Supermarket yesterday.

Constable Tim Goodyer of Picton and an angry onlooker were waiting for him when he returned to the campervan with shopping. Picton resident Paul Beauchamp-Legg said he saw a cap underneath the campervan being opened and "white muck" pouring out of the vehicle.

"What I'd like to say about this is unprintable. There are special places at motor camps for this," he said.

Mariner's Mall deputy manager Pat Sowden said he was disgusted someone would do this in a public place.

"It was gushing out for quite a long time. There was a really bad smell with the waste containing pea shells and corn," he said.

Mr Glynn who's touring New Zealand with his wife, Siobhan, said he was shocked the action had caused such a "furore".

"This was a genuine mistake. When I rented the campervan the agent said the grey water tank could be emptied directly on to the side of the road.
"I pulled in beside the drain here (in the supermarket) and didn't realise ..." he said. "I am disappointed with myself that I didn't realise this would be such an issue. I don't want to paint a bad image of tourists in this country or wreak havoc on it."

 

[Jim]

Walking around Newark on Sunday I saw quite a few campers emptying grey waste directly on to the pitch before they left. (the pitches were wet anyway)

99 times out of a 100 I dump the grey in properly designated area or I take it home. On the odd occasion when the shower tray is full I have drained a little off and placed in a hedge or storm drain.

Is grey waste damaging to the environment if dumped in storm drains and hedgerows?

 

[GJH]

I use a bucket or other container to empty the grey waste tank into.

When on a camp site I always use a designated grey waste drain. At Newark last Saturday, in the absence of such a drain, I took the contaimer to the Elsan point near the Red Gate to empty it.

When we are at an ECWS muster I usually empty the bucket into a hedgerow at the edge of whatever field we are in, well away from where anyone might pitch a tent or park a van in the future.

I don't believe the grey water does any harm - often enough the government has urged people to use grey water for watering the garden for instance. However, I think dumping on a pitch is not acceptable because of the likelihood that the water contains solids and/or grease. I certainly wouldn't like to turn up somewhere and find "pea shells and corn" or similar had been dumped there.

Graham

 

[Terry]

susppose if it were in a dry summer (whats one of them) the hedgerow may like having the wateroh:but then again with the ammount of bleech/washing up liquid SWMBO uses it may kill the hedge
terry

 

[GJH]

Yes, I suppose it wouldn't be a good idea to dump grey water in a hedge if it contained bleach

Graham

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[johnsandywhite]

:Cool: An old member of MHF (GT) used to agree with me (rare occasion) that Grey water should do no harm to the environment. Back in the days of Droughts. It was suggested by the Gardening TV shows (and newspapers) to use Washing and Washing up water to water plants.

 

[Road Runner]

Well the most our grey water contains is soap from washing up and washing.

Bleach NO! only what may be in the soap and I hope not that much.

The supermarket should stop selling soap and washing up liquid maybe?

Suppose people washing cars in the street is just a bad.

 

[Diabalo]

My local CL owner encourages you to put it in the hedge as he has to pay for the tank to be emptied. To be honest I can't see a problem with it, if it saves one tanker load round trip it's got to be better for the environment.

 

[ruffingitsmoothly]

Walking around Newark on Sunday I saw quite a few campers emptying grey waste directly on to the pitch before they left. (the pitches were wet anyway)

99 times out of a 100 I dump the grey in properly designated area or I take it home. On the odd occasion when the shower tray is full I have drained a little off and placed in a hedge or storm drain.

Is grey waste damaging to the environment if dumped in storm drains and hedgerows?

Hi Jim I think that you will find it is a very widespread practise for both Motorhomers and caravaners to let their grey waste onto the ground 'Trinkling ' I think they call it many do it at night under the cover of darkness, I know of at least ten people who have admitted to this practice, not being a goody 2 shoes I have never ever let grey waste onto the ground or down a drain as I use it at the dump to fush out the sewer hose!! Or if stuck I carry a wastecarrier I know it's a pain but empty into that then take that to the elsan point may take a few trips though:Sad:!!!

Regards Pat

 

[vindiboy]

Dumping waste water

When on a Camping Club Rally the RULE is that all waste water [ They like to call it grey water ] must be disposed of in the hedge row of the field,Thats one of the reasons that the perimiter of the field gets filled first,less distance to carry the water. So if its good enough for one of the major clubs it's good enough for me.:thumb:

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[johnsandywhite]

On the odd occasion when the shower tray is full I have drained a little off and placed in a hedge or storm drain.

Is grey waste damaging to the environment if dumped in storm drains and hedgerows?

Not unless it is vastly polluted with chemicals. In the good old days when we had Summer droughts (still do even though it rains ). We were recommended to use washing up water etc for watering the garden and plants.

I used to water them regularly when I was a BEER drinker.

 

[madbluemad]

Walking around Newark on Sunday I saw quite a few campers emptying grey waste directly on to the pitch before they left. (the pitches were wet anyway)

99 times out of a 100 I dump the grey in properly designated area or I take it home. On the odd occasion when the shower tray is full I have drained a little off and placed in a hedge or storm drain.

Is grey waste damaging to the environment if dumped in storm drains and hedgerows?

I would say no its not. However a lot depends upon how the local environment office interprate the environmental protection act and believe me they all have a different interpretation.

Ive had a fair amount of dealings with the environment agencey through my work and I very much doubt that they would even consider taking action against somebody who disposed of grey waste in a hedgerow, a field, a drain etc etc.

I personally have never disposed of grey waste other than in a site disposal point or my drain at home. If you dont have to do it dont.

Jim

 

[Drylander]

GREY WATER Etc

Not Strictly applicable but this thread reminds me of a question posed during my Submarine Part 1 Systems Training -

Q - What tank does the Wardroom slops and sewage drain down into?

A - (From bright spark) Into the ratings fresh water tank!!


Happy Days - Motorhomes are similar to S/Ms:
Cosily cramped, but at least you can see outside of the hull of a MH!!

 

[davol]

Hi,

We were told to drain grey waste when travelling, so we usually pull in just before joining motorway and open tap so by time we arrive home the tank is empty. Is this the norm? (only washing up water after all) We are new to motorhoming so still learning. Love the site, learning so much all the time.:thumb:

 

[GJH]

Hi,

We were told to drain grey waste when travelling, so we usually pull in just before joining motorway and open tap so by time we arrive home the tank is empty. Is this the norm? (only washing up water after all) We are new to motorhoming so still learning. Love the site, learning so much all the time.:thumb:

As posted above, I always dispose of grey water at a drain or hedgerow. I appreciate, though, that some people have been advised to drain whilst travelling.

Perhaps the question to be answered by everyone (and I'm not getting at anyone, by the way) is "would you be happy if somebody dumped their washing up water (including bits of food) on your drive or garden path?"

Graham

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[davol]

As posted above, I always dispose of grey water at a drain or hedgerow. I appreciate, though, that some people have been advised to drain whilst travelling.

Perhaps the question to be answered by everyone (and I'm not getting at anyone, by the way) is "would you be happy if somebody dumped their washing up water (including bits of food) on your drive or garden path?"

Graham

That is why we thought it was ok on motorways, as i said we are new to all this, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[GJH]

That is why we thought it was ok on motorways, as i said we are new to all this, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

One thing we all have in common is that we were new at one time.

Please ask any questions you have - you'll receive plenty of advice here.

Graham