What you need
- Disposable gloves
- An authorised emptying point
- The hose, if you want to rinse the area
Step by step
Keep an eye on the level
Check the grey water level on the control panel inside. Do not wait until it is completely full: if it overfills, water can back up through the shower drain. Plan to empty it when you pass a campsite or motorhome service area with a service point.
Go to an authorised emptying point
Grey water is emptied only at authorised points: the drain grid at campsites and motorhome service areas. Never in the street, a roadside ditch, the countryside or a car park. Besides being prohibited, it contains food scraps and soap that pollute.
Position over the drain
Drive forward slowly until the grey water outlet is right above the drain grid. If someone is with you, ask them to guide you from outside. Apply the handbrake. Many service areas slope slightly towards the drain, which helps it empty.
Open the valve
Put on the gloves and open the grey water drain valve; we show you where it is and how it works at handover. The water comes out quite fast for a minute or two. Wait until it has stopped completely.
Close and rinse
Close the valve firmly and check it is not dripping. If the area has a rinsing tap (not the drinking-water one), splash a little water over the grid to leave it clean for the next person. Looking after these points helps keep them open for everyone.
Avoid smells day to day
Use a strainer in the sink so food scraps do not reach the tank, and wipe plates with paper before washing up. If you notice a smell, empty more often and rinse the tank with clean water when you do. Close the plugholes when not in use.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need to empty the grey water?
It depends on how much you use the shower and sink. For two people, usually every two or three days, roughly at the same pace as you refill the fresh water.
Can I empty grey water into a street drain?
No. Only at emptying points in campsites and motorhome service areas. More about rules and places in our guide to where to sleep in a motorhome.
What about winter?
The grey water tank is heated, which stops it freezing in most situations. Even so, on nights with a hard frost it is a good idea not to leave it full.
