One of the things that people don’t really think about when they’re putting up an outdoor shower is a draining system. Not all outdoor showers require a drain, but some do. Let’s talk about how you can find out if you need a drain. If you do end up needing a drain, let’s talk about how you can get it done as inexpensively as possible.
Does my Outdoor Shower Need a Drain?
You might have heard that it is illegal to have an outdoor shower that doesn’t drain into a sewer or septic system. This is only true in certain locales and even then it is only partially true.
If you are simply washing off sand, dirt, or other natural elements before entering your home, then you are not required to have the water drain to a septic system.
In certain cities if you are using soapy products in your shower, then you are required to have a drain that takes the “gray water” to the septic system.
If you are concerned about whether or not your city requires a drain for an outdoor shower then I recommend you contact your local Health Department and ask (or contact your city office and ask about local building ordinances).
My Advice: Use Common Sense
I’ve never heard of this law being enforced even in the areas where a drain is required. The real issue is whether or not you are harming the environment with your outdoor shower. For this I recommend you use common sense.
Are you only running the shower for a few minutes each day or is this a public shower where tens or hundreds of people are showering with soap each day?
Are you using biodegradable soap? Fresh water and biodegradable soaps don’t harm the environment.
Here’s the city of Nantucket’s (Massachusetts) Health Director on the subject:
One thing you’ll want to consider is where the water will go. If you live in a sandy area, then the water naturally drains down through the sand and you don’t have a problem with water building up next to your house. If you live in an area with hard soil, then the water might not drain down into the earth as easily and this might cause flooding and pooling of water which can lead to water damage and insect issues. In these cases you’ll want to find a way to disperse the water using either a dry well or a direct connection to the sewer system.
Most people building an outdoor shower won’t need a drain that connects to a sewer. If you are just spraying off sweat, dirt, mud, sand, swimming pool water, etc. and you aren’t using soapy products that are harmful to the environment, then you are in the clear as long as the water doesn’t build up causing pooling issues. That being said, it’s probably a good idea to have some sort of natural drain such as gravel to filter the water from your shower. More on this in the next article entitled “Installing a Drain for Your Outdoor Shower.”
