The following is how PolyParadise will be handling Gray Water issues for Burning Man 2011.

Over the 12-Years PolyParadise has been on the Playa, we have experimented with various ways to handle our Gray Water. Starting in 2008, instead of trying to manage the Gray Water, we decided to partner with Sani-Hut corp., to provide a Gray Water receptacle. Even though the cost was significant, the process allowed us to just not really have worry about the amount of Gray Water we produced, as we knew it would be dealt with in the proper manner per our contract with Sani-Hut.

In 2010 we noted we had RED spots listed on the 2010 MOOP MAP.  We have not received any feedback from the Playa Restoration Team or anyone else from 'The Project' to indicate what these areas corresponded to.  It is a shame that they do not communicate these issues to Theme Camp's so that we know where we need to improve.  It is our best guess that these might have been areas where our carpet ripped up portions of the Playa; areas where it got rained soaked and or areas surrounding the Gray Water Collection system. For 2011 we are replacing carpet with Canvas Tarps, but if it rains again from the heavens we may need to 'Rake' the playa to have it more of a smooth surface when we leave.  We will also be placing canvas tarps under the entire shower & gray water collection area to better protect the Playa surface.

During breakdown of camp on Monday, the generator will be turned off as all electrical cables are being pulled.  On breakdown day all remaining waste water will be poured directly into the top of the Holding Tank. 

For 2011 we will again be contracting with Sani Hut to Deliver & Service a 1000-Gallon Holding Tank for Gray Water Collection.

Gray water is defined as water from human activities not including  human or other body waste. This includes washing, showers etc.

Black water is defined as water that includes human or other body waste. This includes poop, pee, blood and that "other stuff."

At no time will Poly Paradise process black water. Burning Man has provided Porto-Potties for such disposal.

Our gray water will be from the following four sources:
1- Kitchen dishwater
2- Community Shower
3- Human Carcass Wash
4- Camper generated from individual cooking and showers

We are estimating the following volumes from each source:

Kitchen- 5 to 15 Gallons per Day (GpD)
Shower- 50 GpD
HCW- 10 GpD
Other- 10 GpD
------------
Total 85 GpD

* Conserve Water
* Screen your Gray, Keep your Chunks

Having a 1000 Gallon tank within camp for our Gray Water Disposal does not mean we do not care about Water Conservation, in-fact, it will make us more aware of the volume of water we produce as a camp.

The collection points are the Kitchen & Shower. Dishwashing Water will be collected just under the sink and screened for particulate matter before making its way to the Holding Tank via small diameter tubing.  Available to assist in dishwashing will be Biodegradable-Mother Earth Friendly Soap as well as Iodophor Sanitizer.

All cooking oil or other materials not suited for the Holding Tank will be collected in 5-Gallon sealable buckets for Off-Playa transportation & disposal.

Shower Water - There will be one main camp shower available to all campers.  The shower will be strategically located at the back of the Human Carcass Wash, located near the Holding Tank.  The shower will consist of an enclosed shower tent on a raised base off the Playa.  All shower water drainage will be collected and transported to the Holding Tank via small diameter tubing with the assistance of a small motor pump.

The shower water collection area should never be used for Gray Water Disposal.  Do not urinate or empty personal pee containers into our Gray Water system, please use the Porto-Potties.

See Camp Shower 2011

Human Carcass Wash - Gray Water Collection - In running the HCW the participants stand in plastic troughs to catch the water and particulate matter washed from bodies.  This water will be filtered to remove these particulates and the water transported to the Holding Tank.