Grey and black in the one holding tank

[ampersand]

I have my eye on a classic timber hulled boat which was probably built long before holding tanks became a legal requirement. It does however have a grey water holding tank (over 100 litres) and I would like to know if it is possible to pipe black water to such a tank, and then pump out the black and grey mixture wherever it is legally and environmentally acceptable to pump out black water. The reason for this idea is that if the wcs were converted to macerators with pumps they could perhaps be connected to the nearby shower and basin grey water piping. This would save tearing the boat apart to install a separate black water piping system and black water holding tank.

What do others think of this idea?

 

[Tranona]

First of all there is no legal requirement (in the UK at least) to fit a holding tank in coastal waters. There is a requirement in inland waterways.

Very unusual to have a "grey water" tank as there are very few places where there is any issue with grey water - that is waste water from washing and bathing.

So, you need to look at the design of the tank and whether it is suitable to use as a holding tank for your toilet waste. There is good information on tank design and pumping sytems from Lee Sanitation, Tek Tanks and Vetus. Get on their websites, look at the information and make an assessment of the tank sytem in your boat.

You will discover that there are many different sytems depending on the layout of your boat and what you want to achieve. The current preference is for gravity systems, but many boats use pumped systems because of the constraints of fitting gravity tanks of good size.

Lovely subject - enjoy!

 

[Bilgediver]

I have my eye on a classic timber hulled boat which was probably built long before holding tanks became a legal requirement. It does however have a grey water holding tank (over 100 litres) and I would like to know if it is possible to pipe black water to such a tank, and then pump out the black and grey mixture wherever it is legally and environmentally acceptable to pump out black water. The reason for this idea is that if the wcs were converted to macerators with pumps they could perhaps be connected to the nearby shower and basin grey water piping. This would save tearing the boat apart to install a separate black water piping system and black water holding tank.

What do others think of this idea?

You couldn t do better than to ask the oracle, The Headmistress, She used to pop in here from time to time however she now mainly sits here!

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/

Steel is not the best material for holding tanks which Peggie will confirm however give her full details for an authoritive reply.

Polyethelyne is a good material and in Europe Vetus supply standard tanks and Peggie will recomend Ronco. However shipping an empty tank could be expensive.
Http://www.ronco-plastics.net/


Tek Tanks and others make tanks to order in the UK

 

[ampersand]

Many thanks for the advice. I shall go straight to the Head Mistress's room.

 

[Bilgediver]

Many thanks for the advice. I shall go straight to the Head Mistress's room.

Her bark' s worse than her bite.... She has advised Tek tanks and Lee at times.