Campervan Dump Stations and Water in New Zealand

Quick summary: On a campervan or motorhome trip, you carry your own fresh water and store your own waste. Every few days you empty the toilet cassette or black-water tank and the grey-water tank at a dump station, and refill the fresh water tank. Dump stations are found at holiday parks and in many towns. The key is to plan ahead, especially before heading into remote areas such as Fiordland, the West Coast and the Catlins.

At a glance
Black water	Toilet waste, stored in a cassette or tank
Grey water	Water from the sink and shower
Where to empty	Dump stations at holiday parks, in towns and at some service stations
Where to fill fresh water	Holiday parks, dump stations with potable taps, some public taps
How often	Every two to four days for most vehicles, depending on tank size and use
Golden rule	Only ever empty waste at a dump station

How do motorhome water and waste systems work?

A self-contained motorhome has three systems working together:

• Fresh water tank: supplies the taps, shower and toilet flush.
• Grey water tank: collects used water from the sink and shower.
• Black water: toilet waste, held either in a removable cassette or in a fixed tank.

Your handover at pickup should cover how each works on your vehicle, including the gauges that show tank levels. If anything is unclear, ask before you drive away.

What is a dump station?

A dump station is a facility for emptying motorhome waste safely into the sewer system. It usually has a grate or inlet for grey and black water, a separate rinse tap for cleaning hoses and cassettes, and often a potable tap for refilling fresh water. The two taps are clearly marked; never use the rinse tap for drinking water.

Dump stations are found at most holiday parks (for guests, and sometimes for a fee for non-guests), in many towns, and at some service stations and public facilities. Widely used camping apps and council websites list their locations.

How do you use a dump station?

1. Position the vehicle so its grey-water outlet is near the inlet.
2. Empty the grey water through the outlet or hose.
3. Empty the toilet cassette into the inlet, or connect and empty a fixed black-water tank.
4. Rinse the cassette and hose using the rinse tap.
5. Refill fresh water from the potable tap, if available, using a clean hose.
6. Leave the area clean for the next traveller.

Disposable gloves and a dedicated hose for fresh water make the job easier and more hygienic.

How often do you need to empty tanks?

It depends on your tank sizes and how you travel. Couples in a large motorhome who use campground showers might go four or more days between dump stations, while a family using the onboard shower will fill tanks faster. Most travellers find a stop every two to four days works well. Keep an eye on your tank gauges and empty them before they are full.

How do you plan for remote areas?

Some of New Zealand’s most beautiful areas have few services. Before heading into them, empty your tanks and fill your fresh water:

• Fiordland: Te Anau is the last place for services before Milford Sound. See our Fiordland and Milford Sound guide.
• The West Coast: Hokitika, the glacier towns and Haast have services, with long gaps between them. See our West Coast glaciers guide.
• The Catlins: services are limited, mostly around Owaka. See our Southland and the Catlins guide.
• Mount Cook, the Haast Pass and Arthur’s Pass: fill up in the towns before you go.

How do you conserve water and power?

• Take short showers, or use campground showers when available.
• Wash up in a bowl and use the water sparingly.
• Fill drinking water bottles at holiday parks.
• Plug in at a powered site every few days to recharge the house batteries, or drive during the day to top them up.
• Switch off lights, heaters and devices when not in use.

What are RV dump stations called in New Zealand?

The same name, dump stations, is used here, alongside the occasional dump point. Signs show a stylised vehicle emptying into a drain, and the stations are listed in camping apps and on council websites, usually at holiday parks, in towns and at some service stations.

What should you never do?

Never empty grey or black water anywhere other than a dump station: not into drains, rivers, the sea, roadside ditches or onto the ground. It harms the environment, puts self-contained freedom camping at risk for everyone, and is against the rules everywhere in New Zealand. Our freedom camping guide covers responsible camping in more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions