Washing hash involves a lot of water. From the mixing vessel, through the sieving bags, and then out for drainage, water flows throughout the process. A slapdash setup can lead to water sloshing around everywhere, potentially ending up in the floor creating operational hazards and an overall sloppy environment. This is not what we want in the lab. 

An integrated water collection vessel contains water after it comes through the sieving bags and before it exits for drainage. The water collection vessel keeps water from sloshing around and ending up on the floor. Containment, cleanliness, and control are the primary advantages of an integrated water collection vessel.

A drainage system allows you to wash hash in a room that isn’t outfitted with a sink or floor drain. Setting up a self-contained drainage system eliminates the need to manually carry drainage water outdoors or to an indoor drain in another room. 

These vessels act as holding tanks for the waste water, and they're advantageous for any hash maker. What's even better is that they're easy and inexpensive to set up. 

Here’s what you need:

List of Supplies

• Saw (a reciprocating saw is ideal) 
• Measuring tape 
• 44-gallon trash can with a lid 
• 5-gallon bucket 
• Drill with spade bit 
• Ball valve 
• Drainage hose 
• Hose clamp 
• Pump (optional)

How To Build Your Integrated Water Collection Vessel

1. Measure the diameter of the bottom of your 5-gallon bucket. The diameter should not include the lip at the top of the bucket.

2. Use a saw to cut out the bottom of the 5-gallon bucket.

5. Install the ball valve into the hole at the bottom of the trash can.

6. Use the hose clamp to secure the drainage hose into the ball valve.

7. *Optional: install a pump to move water through the drainage hose into a sink for drainage.

8. Place the lid onto the top of the trash can, then place the 5-gallon bucket inside the hole in the lid. The bucket should rest on the upper lip, giving a few inches of space above the trash can lid to stack the sieving bags.

Summary

Collecting drainage water inside a vessel prevents spillage and improves safety and cleanliness in your lab. After water runs through the sieving and into the trash can, you can hold the water there until you’re ready to drain it. Just open the ball valve to drain the water into a floor drain, or outdoors. Or, you can use a pump to move it into a sink drain. 

Consider buying a trash can dolly (round platform on wheels) to make your water collection vessel mobile. This will give you ultimate control and flexibility. 

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