Arizona Grey Water Dumping Laws

[DonD]

I know the AZ grey water laws as they pertain to residences, enlighten me re: rvs please.

[JCMAC]

HI,
  Even if you are just tent camping, you are not permitted to dump a small pan of soapy/grey water on the nearest bush to "water" it! none, nada.... If I remember right this is a BLM/fed regulation, so would apply to all of us off-road campers 
  Years back, I use to drain my grey water on the dessert landscape(the brush liked it), but no more.
  If the feds caught you relieving you self... I don't know 

John

[DonD]

“Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,
Thank you for your recent questions regarding recreational vehicles (RV) and dispersed camping on BLM lands in Arizona. The answers to your questions are more complicated than originally thought. Although the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) found at 8365.1-1 (3) generally excludes “wash water” from BLM’s prohibition against draining or dumping, it can be specifically prohibited by Supplemental Rules issued for a specific area. This applies equally to RVers and tent campers.
TITLE 43â€"PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR
CHAPTER IIâ€"BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
PART 8360_VISITOR SERVICES
Subpart 8365_Rules of Conduct
Sec. 8365.1-1 Sanitation.
(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;
There are two locations in Arizona where draining wash water is specifically prohibited by Supplemental Rules that have been established and were published in the Federal Register. They are the Long Term Visitor Areas outside of Yuma, Arizona, and Hot Well Dunes Recreation
Area east of Safford, Arizona.
A note of caution to your audience: Under State laws and regulations in Arizona, “wash water” or “gray water” from a kitchen sink or dishwasher is classified as sewage. If discharging it onto the ground from a RV or camper might cause it to enter an aquifer, the visitor could be subject to violation of State of Arizona regulations unrelated to BLM regulations. Even if the gray water is from a clotheswasher, bathroom sink, shower, or bathtub, it can only be discharged if done so according the “General Permit” practices that would apply. The practices are explained at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
In addition, if the gray water creates a hazard or a nuisance a Law Enforcement Officer can cite (or in extreme circumstances arrest) an individual. This would go beyond simple gray water dumping, and the citation would likely be for some other offense related to degradation of resources or public health and safety issues. Law Enforcement Officers in the field have discretion in applying the laws and regulations as necessary and appropriate to protect the natural resources on the ground.
Thank you for your patience, while BLM researched the issue in order to provide accurate answers for your audience,
Carrie Templin
Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office
(602) 417-9448"


AZ does have lots of ground water and therefore it is wise to use common sense when discharging anything onto the ground.
The BLM response lines up with the residential rules. My own residence is plumbed to discharge washer water onto the ground, everything else into the septic tank/leach field.

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Good to know!  We camped at Hot Wells Dunes last year, and because of the natural hot springs with their bathing area, we didn't have to dump wash water onto the ground at all.  In fact, in Safford, AZ, the closest good sized town to Hot Wells Dunes, there is a water reclaimation plant that has an RV sewer dump site...for FREE!  So if you go to Hot Wells Dunes, respect the rules, and when you need to dump either tank, drive the 25 miles back to town and you can dump your tanks for free.

By the way, Hot Wells Dunes in the winter times is an AWESOME place to camp!  Some ATV noise on the weekends, but quiet and peaceful the rest of the time, and the natural hot springs are amazing.  There is no potable water there though, so you have to bring a lot with you. 

As far as the rules about dumping grey water, use common sense.  If you can avoid doing so, then don't do it...dump it somewhere safe, like an RV dumpsite.  If you have to dump it, don't do it in an environmentally sensitive area, and at least dig a hole and cover it back up....grey water gets smelly too.

NEVER dump your black anywhere but in an RV dumpsite or sewer spout that leads to a sewer or septic tank.  Ever.

Kev

[Rick Shaw]

I never dump my grey water anywhere but a black water dump site and I don't have to worry.    What I find convenient is that after dumping the black water, the grey water actually cleans the sewage hose out because I only use the grey water tank for showers.

[Lefty]

Thanks for the info! When most of the old Winnebago's were built, the laws and regulations were either non-existant, or were much more relaxed. Most only came from the factory equipped with a single black water tank, and the grey water was meant to be drained away from the campsite onto the ground. Of course today, you cannot get away with that so easily. If your not accused of poisoning a blue-speckled three-finned creek minnow (which they will always claim is highly endangered or nearly extinct) you will be frowned upon for making a sloppy, muddy mess.
W%