Grey water disposal is strictly regulated across the United States. State, county, and city laws vary widely, and misunderstanding them can lead to major fines or environmental harm
1. What is Grey Water
Grey water is wastewater from sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines.
It does not include black water (waste containing feces).
Important: Some regions immediately reclassify grey water as black water if it includes urine.
Photo Credit: Vibe Caravan
2. The Real-World Problem: Illegal Dumping
Let's be honest.
Many RV owners, travelers, and off-grid users have dumped grey tanks into:
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City storm drains
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Roadside drip drains
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Open fields or gravel lots
This is common, but it is also illegal in most jurisdictions.
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Storm drains often flow directly into lakes, rivers, or oceans without treatment. Dumping grey water (even diluted) can pollute public waterways with chemicals, soaps, oils, and bacteria.
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Drip drains and roadside dumping can lead to groundwater contamination and health code violations.
Bottom line:
Just because you see it happen, or others get away with it, does not make it legal or safe. Enforcement may vary, but the environmental impact remains real.
3. What About Urine in Grey Water
Urine changes the equation.
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Small, highly diluted amounts of urine may not immediately cause a system failure, but legally, most areas treat any urine-containing waste as black water.
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Adding urine increases pathogens, ammonia, and nutrient loads that can wreak havoc on soil and water systems if improperly discharged.
Best Practice:
Whenever possible, keep urine separate from grey water unless your local regulations explicitly allow mixing.
The OGO™ Origin Compost Toilet is designed to separate liquids and solids at the source, helping you stay compliant easily.
For users who need flexibility, our OGO™ Drain Kit offers a streamlined way to safely manage liquids from the urine bottle to an external grey water system—only where legally permitted.
4. How to Legally Dispose of Grey Water
Check Local Regulations
Always check with your city, county, or state authorities for specific disposal rules.
Even neighboring towns often have wildly different laws.
Approved Disposal Methods
Depending on location:
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You may be allowed to irrigate non-edible plants with grey water through subsurface systems.
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Some areas require holding tanks and authorized disposal at dump stations.
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A few regions allow discharge onto your own land, provided it meets specific filtration and absorption standards.
5. Stay Legal. Stay Smart.
Grey water management isn't just about following the law—it's about protecting groundwater, rivers, and public health.
Illegal dumping damages ecosystems, causes public complaints, and invites serious fines.