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Water, Fresh and Otherwise

Over the years we have constantly revised and updated the way we handle water in camp. We're not there yet, but it's getting better every year!

Water Usage

In 2024 we used 2305 gallons of fresh water in camp (6.2 gallons per camper per day) as follows:

1000
gallons used in the kitchen
600
gallons used for canteen filling and drinks
454
gallons used for showers and toilets
251
gallons used in RV and for build

We generated at least 1000 gallons of grey water from the kitchen, and I'm estimating 600 gallons of grey and black water in the gayflower (we had no way of measuring that).

Fresh Water Sources

Where does fresh water come in from?

  1. The build team RV has a tank that holds about 176 gallons. We usually fill that in Reno at the GSR RV Resort (where we stay for one night before driving up.) Sierra Site Services can also fill this for a flat rate of $180.
  2. The Gayflower, as of 2024, has seven IBC tanks for a total of 1990 gallons
    1. Three in front hold 330 gallons each
    2. Four in back hold 250 gallons each
    3. The tanks in back need to be replaced because they stink of their previous fruit juice contents
    4. They can be filled in Gerlach or Empire for about 50 cents a gallon. Don't fill up in Empire - that water tastes like sulphur, it smells of rotten eggs, and people don't like to drink it or even shower with it. The official water from the Gerlach General Improvement District is good.
  3. We can rent a 500 gallon tank from Sierra Site Services for $1397 including OSS fees which comes filled, with a pump and a 15' hose. Additional fills are $2 cash per gallon. Water tastes great and service is amazing.

Grey Water Disposal

Where does grey water go?

  1. The build team RV has a grey water tank that holds about 75 gallons. We usually dump that in Reno at the GSR RV Resort (where we stay for one night.)
    1. This tank needs to be emptied a couple of times during the burn. In 2024 we figured out a method to hand pump it out to the Gayflower. You can theoretically flag down "RV Pumpout" trucks at the event but I didn't see any of those in 2024.
  2. The Gayflower has five 250 gallon grey water tanks. In 2024 they were almost completely filled up.
  3. We can rent a 250 gallon tank from Sierra Site Services for an additional $250 and they will charge $375 each time to pump it out.

Black Water Disposal

If you flush the toilets in the Gayflower, it goes into the Gayflower's five 250 gallon black water tanks. In 2024 they were approximately half full.

Vendors

Sierra Site Services
Office: 888-458-8777 
Mobile: 530-957-5049 Contact there is Michelle Haley <michelle@sierrasiteservices.com> and they have an office on playa.

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