I have this idea and it is probably crazy but...

[Motrukdriver]

I'm thinking about a mini septic tank.  My plan is to take an old drywall mud bucket (I have prolly 10 of them laying around) and putting a gamma lid on it.  Drill small drainage holes (maybe 1/8" diameter) all around the bottom and up the side about 6" or so.  Then as high up as I can get install a bulkhead fitting with an elbow and pipe sticking down to the bottom of the bucket on the inside and a stub out on the outside.  Now, I take my pick mattox (because the desert floor is very hard) and small shovel and dig a hole deep enough to set the bucket in just to the bulkhead fitting and fill it back in around the sides leaving maybe 4" sticking up out of the ground.  I'll then run a hose from my sink into the bucket stub out fitting.  I know I'll never use enough water to fill the bucket up so it will slowly trickle and get absorbed into the ground as it gets used.  When it is time to go you just pull the bucket up out of the ground, rinse it off, fill in the hole with the nearby dirt you dug out and off you go.   Yes?  No?  Has anyone done this before?  Thoughts?  Improvements?

[Texjbird]

I wonder if the clay content of the soil would have any affect on the drainage?  I think it's a sound idea.  If on public lands and a Ranger saw it they might have a question or two.  

My Aliner only has a small kitchen sink that drains right on the ground.  Until I add a portable drain pipe or hose to it. 

Your idea would provide a way to not have drainage so close to a rig  = no puddles and maybe less mosqitos too.

Jewellann

[Blacktank]

i was going to put a valve on the grey tank and run a hose to a bush/small hole and then i bought a rig with a 2in1 tank

[Motrukdriver]

I've heard a lot of folks dump their grey water on the ground before they head out. This would just be getting the water below the surface as you use it instead of leaving a big soapy puddle on the surface all at one time. I have it all filed up in the noodle for when I get back. I think it'll work but won't know until it is in actual use.

[Motrukdriver]

When I do my build I don't want any holding tanks. Gonna be strictly a potty bucket/bag combo and "water" jug and if this mini septic thing actually works then they yellow water will go in it too. Sometimes I feel like Caractacus Potts when I'm thinking and designing up stuff.

I can hear Grandpa Potts singing... Its the posh posh traveling life the traveling life for meeeeee

[Blacktank]

it also depends on the ground,rocky,clay or hardpan and i'm not digging a hole big enough for a 5 gallon bucket

[Motrukdriver]

Yeah, gotta figure it all out and experimenting is the only way. If we all happen to be in the same area one day and you hear explosions and large balls of fire shooting off into the air you'll know where my trailer is.

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Alaska truck campers don't have holding tanks.  The sink drain runs to a hose fitting in the back.  The company says to run a short hose from that into a 5 gal pail underneath the fitting and empty as needed.

[heron]

I'd think that, with the small amount of water one generally uses, and given that you'd be breaking up the ground around the bucket for a few inches, you'd likely be able to use your mini septic quite nicely, even in clay-y soil. Do the rangers have a fit if they catch you dumping your 5 gal. grey water bucket? If not, they should actually like this better, I'd think.

[TrainChaser]

Why not simplify your idea and eliminate the bucket? Just drain the water into the hole with some flexible pipe, and fill it in before you leave.