A homesteader building an off-grid RV site revealed that more goes into the project than finding the perfect place to park — namely, where all the wastewater will go.
Here's what to know
Sean is known as The Mountain Wizard (@themountainwizard) on social media, and on YouTube, he said he'd need roughly 50 feet of lateral line to disperse gray water.
"If you aren't sure what lateral line is, that is this 4-inch line, and it has holes already drilled in it," he says while showcasing a white pipe with holes on one side. "Leave the solid part facing up. And that will give you a way for that water, or liquids, to be able to drain into the soil."
The drainage system is one part of an unfinished RV site that also needs solar power, a water tank, gutters, and a connected water pump.
More background
A tracking mount will let his solar array change direction as daylight shifts from east to west. Sean intends to install six 200-watt solar panels, totaling 1,200 watts.
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Meanwhile, Sean said a custom carport will shelter the RV from wind and rain. Now, it just needs "some rigidity," according to Sean. An X-brace on the back will help make it more stable.
What people are saying
Off-grid challenges can vary depending on location and climate. One commenter worried that Sean's gray water system didn't have enough bedding, to which Sean replied, "The soil here drains well enough that extra gravel isn't necessary for this gray water setup."
"Thanks for answering the septic question! I'd love to hear more about septics in your other projects too. It seems like the one thing that is rarely covered," another user said.
Where can I learn more?
Figuring out where gray water will go is one vital part of setting up an off-grid home.
• In Maine, an off-grid RV owner says the town requested a gray water plan.
• An off-grid hopeful asking about the transition learned residents count every gallon.
• A New Mexico couple melted snow to flush toilets after snow buried their solar panels.
• A tiny home owner described bugs and generator limits alongside long drives to town.
• A man living off-grid at a forest's edge keeps one foot in society.
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