Grey Water Tank Additives

Dick0 · Guru

Grey Water Tank Additives

PeterD · Guru

Yes we just add a desert spoon heaped with Nappysan substitute if any smell starts.

Weedpharma · Veteran Member

A friend that has been caravanning for many years told me that SP damages the dunny seals. Has anyone heard of this?
His was not personal experience.

Weedpharma

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Been treating for 2 years no issue . Btw it's the active ingredient in nappy San . Plus it's used in cleaning beer lines . It's an oxidising agent.

Dick0 · Guru

Great...looks like SP will work in toilet cassette and grey water tank...only need the one "chemical" for both.
Thanks for the help everyone, much appreciated.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Sorry, but Sodium per carbonate mostly won't do much in grey water. It has little or no effect on the fats present which are the biggest problem and no effect on the detergents.
For effective treatment of grey water you need to use one of the enzyme products. We don't bother. Better just to get rid of it on a more regular basis.

Cheers,
Peter

Dick0 · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Sorry, but Sodium per carbonate mostly won't do much in grey water. It has little or no effect on the fats present which are the biggest problem and no effect on the detergents.
For effective treatment of grey water you need to use one of the enzyme products. We don't bother. Better just to get rid of it on a more regular basis.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks Peter, was wondering what to do if unable to empty tank before, say, 3 days. Does the grey water turn into black water and is there a simple & cheap way of avoiding that?

What would be getting rid of it on a more regular basis as a time frame be, and what would the condition of the grey water be like then?

I have no idea about storage of grey water and the best way of disposing stored grey water. Presently I don't store grey water but drain it with a 10mt hose without trying to be a pest to others.

So, I am hoping those who store grey water can give me their experiences and advice.

GerryP · Veteran Member

We have a grey water tank and even if we regularly empty it, it can eventually still start to smell a bit. When this happens, we add some bleach. This works quite well, especially if you can add it with some water, prior to hitting the road again. By the time you get to your next destination, or a suitable dump point, it has sloshed around nicely and the smell is no longer there.

We also tend to leave the plugs in the sink and hand basin to stop any odours from rising up from the drains.

We haven't tried SP (Napisan), but I can't see any reason why you couldn't try it.

PeterD · Guru

Dick0 wrote:
Does the grey water turn into black water and is there a simple & cheap way of avoiding that?

There were quotes from various authorities claiming that storing grey water too long turns it black a few years ago. These claims have subsequently been rebutted. The previous claims have been shown to be false by proper testing of stored water.

Dick0 · Guru

When I have used the tank for a while and experimented with all the suggested additives I will post my experiences and opinions on the different additives with outcomes. Still a bit confusing for me at the moment but time will no doubt reveal all.

Thanks for your suggestions, opinions and recommendations.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We have been using the generic brand sodium percarbonate products for over four years - no problem at all with our dunny seals. And we put it down the drain - and, if nothing else, it kills the odour from the drain. Can't hurt, I wouldn't think. Capful is all you need for most applications.

Tony Bev · Guru

Another traveller gave me the tip of:-

Have the grey water tank half full
Add a bottle cheap white vinegar to the to the grey water tank
Go for a good long drive so that the water sloshes around
Empty the grey water tank
I have done this once in three years

I have no problem using Napisan type products (of above 30% SP) in the cassette toilet
I put the Napisan in first, and then the water
When I close the sliding valve, between the bowl and cassette, I flush about an egg cupful of water over the valve seal
If any Napisan was still clinging to the sliding valve seal it will hopefully not dry the seal out

I have no idea about the cost of a slide valve seal, but it looks easy enough to replace

Dick0 · Guru

Yes, SP seems to work well in the toilet cassette, I suppose, because no other detergents or food fats present. But I am understanding that grey water is very different due to detergents and food fats, which turns to black water after a day or so. I know you can get enzyme chemicals that eat the grey water bacteria but are very expensive. So wondering if SP (or other cheap additive) will stop the grey water turning black and allow the grey water, whilst treated, be dumped safely in the countryside after a day/two/three? I figured there should be numerous nomads in the playground with extensive experience in treatment and disposal of grey water tanks and post how they dispose the contents of their tank. Toilet cassettes I am very clear about...use a dump point. But grey water?

jules47 · The Happy Helper

DickO - use a dump point - of course what some who advocate this haven't thought of the holding tank of the dump point (unless connected to mains sewage) will fill very quickly, requiring more frequent emptying by the council, free camp etc., who provide it - Port Augusta motorhome camp near the sports club have found this, if you aren't staying there, they charge you to use the dump - fair enough I say, stayers have to pay (minimal cost).

PeterD · Guru

Dick0 wrote:
But I am understanding that grey water is very different due to detergents and food fats, which turns to black water after a day or so.

Dick0, you did not read what I posted back at 20:28 Aug 22, 2016 did you.

Dick0 · Guru

PeterD wrote:
There were quotes from various authorities claiming that storing grey water too long turns it black a few years ago. These claims have subsequently been rebutted. The previous claims have been shown to be false by proper testing of stored water.

Thanks PeterD and others...I think I may be too overly concerned about the issue. It may not be such a serious problem as I imagined.