Caravan homeowners face fines for ‘disgusting’ grey water dumping

Caravanners are being warned against this “disgusting habit” that could earn them a $2,000 fine.

Aussie caravan owners are being warned they can be hit with hefty fines from this one “disgusting and illegal” act.

Many Aussies are leaning into caravan culture and ditching their homes to live life out on the road, avoiding rent and high mortgages.

However many are taking shortcuts when it comes to the less attractive parts of the lifestyle by dumping “greasy, slimy” grey water on the road as they drive instead of disposing of it properly.

Grey water is used for showering, kitchen and bathroom sinks in caravans and RVs and although it doesn’t include sewerage, Victoria’s EPA says it can still be contaminated and risk human health, harm animals, plants and impact water quality.

Not only does it leave water that is tainted with “grease, oil and bodily fluids,” which is unsafe for drivers and bad for the environment – but it also classifies as illegal dumping.

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Caravanners could cop thousands of dollars in fines. Photo: Facebook Truck Friendly – caravan road safety program.

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Fines vary across each state and territory, but those caught in NSW can cop huge on-the-spot fines ranging from $1000-$2500 according to NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The maximum penalty an individual can cop for small-scale illegal dumping in NSW is between $25,000-$50,000.

Aussie caravanner Ken Wilson – who travels the country teaching a caravan road safety program with wife Jenny – took to Facebook to call out the “disgusting and illegal habit.”

“Releasing grey water onto the road from your caravan or motorhome is highly illegal and a danger to road users,” he wrote.

Mr Wilson said he had witnessed a rise in caravan owners opening their valve to empty their grey water tank as they are driving along the road. He also claimed he had been approached by many car and motorcycle drivers asking him to help stop the “disgusting habit.”

Grey waste left on the roads by caravan owners. Photo: Facebook Truck Friendly – caravan road safety program

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“Grey water is all the water from your caravan’s sink and shower, so people washing up at their sink, all their greasy pots and pans or the rinsing out [of] raw meat trays,” he told Yahoo News.

“Or people taking a shower, taking a pee there, or even rinsing off after sex. Everything goes down to the grey water tank.”

He went on to urge caravanners to close their grey water tanks prior to travel and dispose of it as directed by each park in their designated dumping areas.

The initial social media post was met with hundreds of comments and likes in support.

“Yes we had beetroot chunks and bits of carrot stuck on our windscreen from a caravan flying past,” one comment said.

“Someone posted a couple months back on another caravan forum that he just received a $600 plus fine from highway patrol in NSW for this exact thing,” another user said.

Mr Wilson told Yahoo News that more awareness needed to be raised on the problem.

“Because it’s a stupid, entitled attitude,” he said. “Just don’t do it. It’s inconsiderate and dangerous.”

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