News

Caravan grey water management is something most new caravanners do not think much about until they arrive at their first free camp and realise the rules are stricter than they expected. Whether you are looking for a grey water tank for your caravan, a caravan grey water hose for park connections or just trying to understand what is actually required, this guide covers everything in one place. And for anyone searching for a gray water tank for caravan setups, the spelling does not matter but the compliance does.

Browse our range of caravan grey water tanks, hoses and waste management gear at Campalot including sullage hoses and portable grey water bladders from Flat Out and Fleximake.

What Is Caravan Grey Water and Why Does It Matter?

Caravan grey water is the waste water generated by your van's sinks and shower. It is separate from black water, which is toilet waste, and is generally considered lower risk but still requires proper management.

In Australia, grey water disposal rules vary by state, council and site type. At most caravan parks with drainage facilities, your grey water connects to a drain point via a sullage hose. At free camps, national parks and many bush campsites, there is no drainage and you are sometimes expected to contain your grey water in a tank and dispose of it at a designated dump point.

Getting this wrong is not just a rule violation. Releasing grey water on the ground at a free camp degrades the site, contaminates water sources and is increasingly resulting in fines. With free camping becoming more popular and more scrutinised, a proper caravan grey water setup is now a practical necessity for responsible touring.

Grey Water Tank for Caravan: Your Options

A grey water tank for caravan use captures waste water from your sinks and shower outlet when you are at sites without drainage. Without one, any water that goes down the drain has to go somewhere, and in most free camp situations that somewhere is the ground, which is not always acceptable.

Fixed Under-Van Grey Water Tanks

Many newer caravans come with a fixed grey water tank under the van. These are typically 30 to 60 litres in capacity and drain via a valve at the dump point. If your van has one, you are already ahead.

The limitation is capacity. A fixed tank of 40 litres suits a couple staying one to two nights. For longer stays or families with higher water use, even a purpose-built fixed tank fills faster than you expect. A supplementary portable grey water tank is a practical addition for extended off-grid stays.

Portable Grey Water Tank for Caravan

A portable grey water tank for caravan use sits under your van's grey water outlet and captures waste water during your stay. When it is full, or when you leave, you transport it to the nearest dump point and empty it.

Fleximake grey water bladders are the most space-efficient option available in Australia. Because they are flexible, they fold completely flat when empty and take up almost no space in storage. When in use they sit under the van's outlet connection and expand as they fill.

• Fleximake 20L grey water bladder: suits a couple for a two to three night stay
• Fleximake 40L grey water bladder: suits families or longer stays between dump point visits

Rigid portable grey water tanks are also available and are more stable for uneven ground under the van. They take up more storage space but handle rough terrain better than flexible options.

Caravan Grey Water Hose: What You Need at a Powered Site

At a caravan park with drainage facilities, your caravan grey water hose connects the outlet on your van to the park drain point. This is the standard setup at powered and unpowered sites with sullage connections.

A caravan grey water hose is not the same as a drinking water hose. It is a larger diameter, more flexible hose designed specifically for waste water. Flat Out sullage hoses are the most widely used caravan grey water hose in Australia, and for good reason. They are flexible, kink-resistant, compact to pack and rated for grey water use.

Caravan grey water hose lengths to consider:

• 6m caravan grey water hose: covers most standard site layouts where the drain is within reach
• 9m caravan grey water hose: worth carrying if you regularly encounter larger sites or awkward drain placements

Gray Water Tank for Caravan: Getting the Spelling Right Online

If you have been searching for a gray water tank for caravan use and getting mixed results, this is simply a spelling variation. Both "grey" and "gray" refer to exactly the same product. In Australia the standard spelling is grey, but many people use gray, particularly if they have been searching international sites or US-based resources.

A gray water tank for caravan use is identical to a grey water tank for caravan use. Both descriptions cover the same range of products: portable bladders, under-van tanks and rigid capture containers. Any of the products in our range suits your setup regardless of which spelling you searched.

Dump Points: Where to Empty Your Grey Water Tank

Every grey water tank for caravan use needs to be emptied at a designated dump point. Dump points are marked at most caravan parks, roadhouses and rest areas on major touring routes across Australia. Apps like WikiCamps, Campermate and the Dump Point Finder make it easy to locate the nearest facility when you are on the road.

How Much Grey Water Does a Caravan Produce?

A couple using their van's shower and kitchen sink will typically generate 30 to 60 litres of grey water per day. This varies significantly based on shower duration, dishwashing habits and whether you are supplementing with outside facilities at the camp.

As a practical rule, plan your grey water tank size for a minimum of 1.5 days of water use per person. For a two-person couple staying three nights without a dump point visit, a 40L grey water tank is a reasonable minimum.

Grey Water vs Black Water: Know the Difference

Grey water comes from sinks and showers. Black water is toilet waste. The two must never be mixed in the same container unless your van has a dedicated black water tank and appropriate fittings. Portable grey water tanks are not rated for black water disposal. The rules and requirements for black water disposal are significantly stricter than for grey water in every state and territory.

The Short Version

A caravan grey water setup needs two things: a way to capture waste water at sites without drainage, and a caravan grey water hose for connecting to drain points at parks. A portable grey water tank for caravan use covers the first. A quality sullage hose covers the second. Both are inexpensive, compact and genuinely necessary for responsible Australian touring.

  Shop caravan grey water tanks, hoses and waste management accessories at Campalot.