Drainage of grey and black water in motorhomes, caravans and camper vans
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More and more people are choosing to rent a motorhome or camper and one of the aspects that most concern motorhomers when they start a trip and that they should always keep in mind to avoid having a very bad time is how and where to empty the black and gray water tanks.
One of the most tedious tasks that we have to face during our trip in a camper, caravan or motorhome is the emptying of waste water (gray and black) from the tank of our vehicle.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of areas, both public and private, for emptying and filling water, and it is clear that they require a physical space properly equipped for this use and that they cannot be dumped just anywhere, but must be done in specific places, specifically equipped for this purpose, which is why today many areas intended for campsites have this service.
Although in other countries there are a good number of areas where you can empty and fill the tanks, in Spain we are beginning to see some areas of this type, although we are still far from being on a par with other European countries such as Germany and France.
As we explain below, the first thing to do is to distinguish between these two types of water (grey and black), as the emptying of each one will be done differently, always depending on the number of occupants, the cleaning we will need will be more or less frequent. Normally, there is a red light that will indicate when the tanks are at maximum capacity.
Having said all this, let's start by knowing:
What are each of them?, how to differentiate them? and how to empty each type of water?
Grey water emptying
Grey water comes exclusively from domestic use, this means that it is the same waste water coming from the washing of utensils in the sink, washbasin or shower of the motorhome or camper. This water is reusable for the toilet to save water, so it is accumulated in tanks under the vehicle.
For a complete emptying, the best is to be placed in a wide concrete area that facilitates the maneuver of entrance and exit to the dimensions of a motorhome and slightly inclined to direct the gray water directly and quickly towards the drainage grid. This grate cannot be placed on one of the sides or near curbs or walls, since each model incorporates the drain in a different place in the lower part of the motorhome. Open the tank (located in the lower part of the vehicle), let it empty completely and close it again completely. Emptying is done by means of a valve or tap.
Emptying Blackwater
Blackwater or sewage is contaminated liquid, that is, the water that comes from your toilet with fecal remains. Its emptying is much more cautious since it requires a good system of canalization and treatment, which complies with the current regulations. It is also called wastewater, sewage or sewage water.
The sewage that comes from the chemical toilet is collected directly in a cassette or septic tank, which is located under the toilet. This tank has a rotating pipe through which it is poured into the corresponding drain, and which must be connected to a septic tank or the sewage system. For its cleaning, it is convenient to have a running water faucet at hand, different from the clean water tap.
When the tank of the motorhome indicates that it is full, the lid is closed and it is removed with the built-in handle. Some also have wheels to be able to move it more easily.
How to drain each type of water?
We start by opening the cap and emptying the tank about halfway. We fill with water, rinse and make sure that the inside is clean when we empty the rest and if necessary we add a little soapy bleach and rinse again.
With the tank clean and empty, add the disinfectant liquid and put it back in place.
Take the opportunity to refill the drinking water tank for the shower, washbasin or sink.
The innovations in the emptying of waste, of the ingenious companies, Camper Clean (German) and Thetford (Dutch), who developed two incredible machines to make our life much easier in the campsite.
They are machines for automatic emptying and cleaning of water from its removable cassett, which in only 2 or 3 minutes, cleans it with pressurized water in a way that removes all impurities from it, the storage tanks will be fresh and ready to be used again.
With these recommendations we will be able to keep the water tanks in perfect condition and without bad odors, so that you can enjoy your caravan, motorhome or camper to the fullest.
