One of the most consistent, and sometimes legal, issues for mobile groomers is where to dump grey water. With communities growing increasingly aware of preventing local contamination of waterways, grey water and its management issues arise more frequently at city council and drainage commission meetings.

Be prepared to explain grey water concerns to local officials and residents of the neighborhood where you’re likely to dispose of grey water. Your ability to speak knowledgably on the subject could save your business from damaging scrutiny.

Definition
Grey water is defined as household waste water. Representative of 50 to 80 percent of all household waste water, it is comprised of water used to wash dishes, shower and laundry. Most municipalities define it as any household water not containing feces. It’s slight pollution, with detergents and household dirt, prohibit it from re-use without filtration. Its necessary disposal normally presents few problems.

Groomers often allow grey water to simply enter curbside sewers directly from vehicles. However, some communities now require transporting the soiled water to approved disposal sites where toxins can be evaluated and controlled.

Disposal
Frequent disposal of grey water makes for a chore if not allowed to drain directly into the local storm water or sewer management system. Since most mobile grooming units retain a 1/3 capacity ration or grey water to clean, several trips to a local dumping station may be required.

Plan your appointments and the resulting mobile routes in loops that allow for trips to nearby water treatment facilities or local car washes (where grey water dumping is often allowed). This strategic positioning of clients eases the burden of frequent drainage and removes the temptation to bend the rules by illegally draining grey water tanks.

Management
Managing the toxicity of grey water discharge helps put local officials and neighborhood associations at ease. By using plant based detergents and shampoos that degrade quickly, the impact on the local environment is minimized. Quickly dissolving detergents also make reuse of grey water more feasible. When gentle cleaning agents are used, what once was waste water can be used to irrigate lawns and gardens. <HOME>