Waste water containers – managing grey water cleanly and calmly
Waste water containers deal with one of the less glamorous parts of caravanning — but they make a huge difference to how tidy, legal, and stress-free your stay feels.
Whether you’re washing up, showering, or just using the sink, grey water has to go somewhere. A suitable waste water container keeps it contained until you can dispose of it properly.
This page explains what waste water containers do, the common types, and what actually matters when choosing one.
What is a waste water container?
A waste water container (often called a grey water container) collects used water from:
Sinks
Showers
Hand basins
It sits beneath the caravan’s waste outlets and stores water until it can be emptied at a designated disposal point.
It’s not for toilet waste — that’s handled separately by the cassette system.
Why waste water management matters
Poor waste water handling can quickly spoil a pitch.
A good container helps:
Prevent puddles under the caravan
Keep pitches clean and acceptable
Make disposal predictable and controlled
Avoid repeated small trips to empty water
It’s about being considerate — to yourself and to everyone else on site.
Common types of waste water containers
Rolling waste water containers
These are designed to sit low under the caravan and be rolled to the disposal point when full.
Why they’re popular
Easy to move when full
Low profile under outlets
Minimal lifting required
They’re well suited to regular touring and longer stays.
Upright waste water containers
These are lifted and carried to the disposal point.
Why some caravanners use them
Simple design
Often cheaper
Compact storage
They work fine for light use, but can become heavy and awkward when full.
Flat or low-profile containers
Designed specifically to fit under modern caravans with low ground clearance.
Why they’re useful
Fit neatly beneath waste outlets
Reduce splash and overflow risk
Ground clearance is worth checking before choosing one.
Capacity and emptying frequency
Larger containers:
Need emptying less often
Can become heavy quickly
Smaller containers:
Are easier to handle
Require more frequent trips
Think about:
How often you use water
Distance to disposal points
Your own comfort handling weight
There’s no “correct” size — just what works best for you.
Positioning under the caravan
Good positioning matters.
Tips include:
Ensuring outlets drain cleanly into the container
Using hose sections if needed to guide flow
Avoiding kinks or blockages
Leaving space so the container can be removed easily
A badly positioned container often leads to drips, smells, or overflows.
Emptying and hygiene
Waste water containers should be emptied:
Only at designated disposal points
Carefully to avoid splashing
Rinsed regularly
It’s good practice to:
Wear gloves if needed
Rinse the container after emptying
Allow it to drain and dry when possible
Good hygiene keeps smells at bay and prolongs container life.
🔧 TalkWrench Tip
Don’t wait until a waste water container is completely full before emptying it.
Part-full containers are easier to move, less likely to spill, and far more pleasant to deal with — especially at the end of the day.
Storage and transport
When not in use, consider:
Where the container lives in transit
Securing it to prevent movement
Keeping it separate from fresh water equipment
Clear separation helps avoid cross-contamination and confusion.
The takeaway
Waste water containers may not be exciting, but they quietly keep everything running smoothly.
A well-chosen container turns grey water from an irritation into a routine task that barely registers. Like many caravan accessories, the right one simply fades into the background — which is exactly how it should be.
Example waste water container styles you’ll commonly see
Rather than focusing on specific products, it’s usually more helpful to understand the styles of waste water containers that are commonly used — and why caravanners choose them.
Rolling waste water containers
Often recognised by names like Wastemaster style containers.
These sit low to the ground under the caravan’s waste outlets and are designed to be rolled to the disposal point when full.
Why they’re widely used
No lifting when full
Easy to manoeuvre on hardstanding and paths
Designed to sit neatly under most caravans
They’re particularly popular with caravanners who stay on site for several days or use water regularly.
Upright waste water containers
These are simple containers that are lifted and carried to the disposal point.
Why some caravanners choose them
Straightforward design
Compact and easy to store
Suitable for lighter use or short stays
They work perfectly well where water use is minimal, but can become heavy if allowed to fill completely.
Low-profile or flat containers
Designed specifically for caravans with limited ground clearance.
Why they’re useful
Fit under modern caravans more easily
Reduce the chance of splashing or overflow
Can stay in position without frequent adjustment
These are often chosen where space under the caravan is tight.
Choosing by style, not brand
Most waste water containers — regardless of brand — do the same basic job.
The decision usually comes down to:
How far you’ll need to move it when full
How much lifting you’re comfortable with
Clearance under your caravan
How often you want to empty it
If a container fits your space, handles comfortably, and drains cleanly, it’s doing exactly what it should.