Guides › Motorhome Filling Up & Waste Disposal: Grey & Black Water Done Right
Motorhome Filling Up & Waste Disposal: Grey & Black Water Done Right
Filling up and waste disposal is one of the things beginners are most wary of — yet with a bit of routine it's done in no time. Here are the three water cycles and how to handle them cleanly.
The three types of water
- Fresh water: clean drinking water in the tank — for drinking, cooking and showering.
- Grey water: waste water from the sink and shower (with soap/grease). It goes into the grey water tank.
- Black water: the contents of the toilet cassette (waste + sanitary additive).
How disposal works
At a disposal station (found at many pitches, campsites and motorway service areas) you usually do three things: drain the grey water through the floor outlet into the drain, empty and rinse the cassette at the toilet emptying point, and refill the fresh water tank. Important: never tip grey or black water into nature or into an ordinary drain — only at the places provided for it.
Tips for the cassette (black water)
- Use a sanitary additive — it locks in odours and breaks down the contents. There are eco-friendly versions.
- Don't let it get too full — emptying it in good time is more pleasant.
- Press the vent button while pouring (it prevents splashing).
- Only use quick-dissolving toilet paper.
Where to find stations
Disposal stations aren't always easy to find on the road. In Muvano you can see disposal points on the map — alongside pitches and petrol stations. That way you can plan refilling and emptying calmly into your route, instead of searching in an emergency.
Once you've got the routine down, filling up and waste disposal is second nature. A good companion piece: our guide Motorhome checklist before you set off.