How to Safely Dispose of Tumbling Slurry

Every time you wash down your barrel and rocks between tumbling cycles, you are left with a mixture of water, rock dust and worn-out grit called slurry.

While entirely non-toxic, slurry possesses properties similar to wet cement. If allowed to enter household drains, it will rapidly settle in the plumbing traps, solidify, and cause severe, costly blockages. To avoid damaging your pipes, there are two primary ways to dispose of slurry safely: outdoor dispersion or sedimentation and evaporation.

Direct Outdoor Dispersion

Because rock tumbling slurry consists entirely of minerals, inert abrasives, and water, it is safe for the environment. If you have an outdoor space, simply empty and wash your barrel directly onto gravel, soil, or grass away from drainage paths, where rain will naturally wash it into the ground. Keep in mind that dumping slurry will temporarily discolour the grass or pavement until it washes away.

Indoor Sedimentation and Evaporation

If you operate indoors, separating the water from the heavy sediment is the cleanest, most contained approach.

1. Perform all barrel clean-outs and rock washing directly into a dedicated bucket like the "Vanishing" Rinsing Station, keeping the slurry completely isolated from your drains.
2. Let the basin sit undisturbed for a few hours. Because rock particles and abrasives are dense, they will sink to the bottom, leaving clear water at the top.
3. Carefully pour off the clear surface water down a drain. Since the heavy, pipe-clogging sediment remains trapped at the bottom, this water is safe for your plumbing.
4. Leave the remaining concentrated sludge to dry. As the moisture evaporates, it hardens into a solid mass that can be popped out of the bucket and tossed into your household rubbish bin.