By Gail Marsh
No one wants to be “that” RVer. You may have seen them. They are the ones who don’t know or don’t care about RV dump station etiquette. While some dump sites post rules, not all do. That’s why it’s important to know and follow the proper procedures.
Dump station
An RV dump station is a designated area for RVers to use for emptying their gray and black water tanks. The minimum dump station will provide a capped sewer drain, while more fully equipped stations will also provide water and hoses in addition to the capped drain.
No matter how the dump station is equipped, RVers should understand that each station is a space that will be shared with others. Because of this, it’s important that every RVer know and follow RV dump station etiquette.
Etiquette to know and observe
• Be prepared. Before arriving at a dump station, make sure your RV’s gray and black tanks are sufficiently filled. In addition, make sure to take all of the equipment you’ll need: gloves, hoses, and cleaning supplies. All hoses should have secure connections to prevent leaks and spills. Note: Cleaning supplies are necessary to prevent contamination due to accidental spills. A mixture of bleach and water will kill and prevent pathogens from spreading to other RVers. (One-third cup bleach to a gallon of water.)
• Wait your turn. If there’s a line of other RVers already queued up to use the dump station, be patient and wait your turn. Avoid blocking access to the station or adjacent areas while waiting. Keep a safe distance from other RVs to allow for maneuverability.
• Work quickly and carefully. Once it’s your turn, work quickly to empty your tanks. Begin by releasing a bit of gray water to help lubricate the drain hose. Then close the gray water tank and proceed to dump the contents of the black tank. Avoid unnecessary delays by knowing how to operate your RV’s dumping system beforehand. Note: A thorough cleaning of the black tank will require several fills and emptying of the gray and black tanks. A shared dump station is not the place to do this because of the time it requires. Wait until you arrive at your full-hookup site to clean the tanks.
• Clean up. After dumping your tanks, thoroughly rinse the dump station area to remove any spills or residue. This includes cleaning the hose and other equipment used during the dumping process. Leaving the area clean and sanitary is not only polite but also essential for the next user’s experience.
• Look twice. Check to make sure you’ve disposed of any trash or debris properly and responsibly. Never leave behind any items that could contaminate the area or harm the environment. Remember, many dump stations are located in natural settings, so it’s crucial to leave them as pristine as you found them.
Practice good hygiene
Always wear gloves when handling hoses or coming into contact with any waste materials. After completing the dumping process, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs.
Maintain consideration for others
Be mindful of noise levels and avoid disturbing fellow RVers or nearby residents, especially if you’re using the dump station during early morning or late evening hours. Keep conversations and other activities respectful and considerate of others’ space.
Stay informed
Familiarize yourself with any specific rules or regulations governing the use of the dump station you’re visiting. Some facilities may have additional guidelines or restrictions that you need to follow to ensure compliance and courtesy.
Can you add some rules for RV dump station etiquette? Use the comments to do so.
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Thank you, Gail, for the gentle reminder of the minimal level of expected behavior at a dump station. Certainly newbies may feel some pressure to dump quickly and well. However, they should also methodically go through their procedure to ensure that all steps are completed in the correct order. This both ensures that they empty their waste tanks, and also minimizes the likelihood of making a mess that extends their time occupying the dump station in order to clean the resulting mess. John Wooden’s admonition to “be quick, but don’t hurry,” comes to mind. Have a great day and safe travels!
Running some gray water through first is a good idea for not only lubricating the hose but also to make sure all your connections are tight.
Also open the valve slowly so if you do see a problem you can shut it right away, if you yank it open and you do have a leak or another problem you’re not going to close it fast enough and you can have a major issue, I saw a guy yank the valve open and he didn’t have anything on the hose to keep it in the pipe to the dump station and the rush blew the hose right out of the pipe and boy what a mess, it went everywhere!