Have You Ever Thought About Using GreyWater For Irrigation?
Greywater irrigation is pretty common in the desert Southwest. After moving to Arizona in 1998, from Washington State, I discovered that greywater use was actually encouraged by the State of Arizona! I was astounded. At the time, it wasn't even legal to use greywater in Washington, although I understand that is changing even as I write this.
I will be discussing here:
Why you might want to consider using greywater
The basics of greywater harvesting
Where to find greywater information
A simple greywater system (for backyard eco-guerrillas)
A more complex system (for use where permits are required)
Before I proceed, I want to make it clear that even though I have used greywater for years in irrigation, I am not an expert on the subject. I do, however know where to look to find great information on a subject that I can get pretty passionate about!
I will be discussing here:
Why you might want to consider using greywater
The basics of greywater harvesting
Where to find greywater information
A simple greywater system (for backyard eco-guerrillas)
A more complex system (for use where permits are required)
Before I proceed, I want to make it clear that even though I have used greywater for years in irrigation, I am not an expert on the subject. I do, however know where to look to find great information on a subject that I can get pretty passionate about!
The Simple Solution
Is Frequently the Best Solution!
What do you do if you just want to use your laundry water for irrigation? You don't want to redesign your plumbing, you just want to conserve water? Well, you could just do as the people in the photo did, and create a very simple, if ugly solution.There is no one answer for these questions. Greywater irrigation can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Perhaps, you live in an area where greywater irrigation is not condoned, but you still think is is a good idea. Then, I suggest, when no one is looking, you run a hose from your washer to your fruit trees and be done with it.
Or, if you live somewhere that you could use some water year-round, check out this link: Laundry to Landscape Grey Water System
This system will survive the winter, and still be simple and easy to maintain. And, you will be doing something good for the environment, and taking the strain off your septic system!
Greywater for New Construction
What do you need to do in order to get a permit?
First off, check in with your county and state! Some states allow greywater, and others don't. And, some states that don't allow for greywater use, will still allow you to plumb your home with stubouts for future greywater plumbing. This is really great, as you can then plumb in your greywater after your home has passed inspection. Even better, by the time you sell, you just might be legal! (Did I just say that?)
The best resource I can recommend for planning your code approved greywater system is Oasis.They have been at it for years, and can recommend a plan that will work where you live. Lots of free information on their web site, and they do consulting as well. Consulting fees apply.
Books to Help You Design Your System
Assuming You Want to Move Beyond Guerrilla Irrigation!
Everything I have ever learned about greywater either came from a book, trial and error, or both!
The New Create an Oasis with Greywater: Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems - Includes Branched Drains
Amazon Price: $14.25 (as of 11/28/2009) 
Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta And Greywater: Excreta and Greywater Used in Agriculture
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater: Volume 2: Wasterwater Use in Agriculture
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater: Volume 3: Wastewater and Excreta Use in Aquaculture
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater: Volume 1: Policy and Regulatory Aspects
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 11/28/2009)
More Greywater Resource Guides
From Gaiam
Building Professional's Greywater Guide
Companion to ""Create an Oasis with Greywater"" By Art LudwigWill help you successfully include greywater systems in new construction or remodelingIncludes reasons to install or not install a greywater system, flowcharts for choosing an appropriate system, dealing with inspectors, legal requirements checklist, design and maintenance tips
Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged, Book
Find out what you need to know when it comes to types of storage tanks, siting, collection and purification, plumbing, freeze-proofing, and wiringPresented in layperson terms with plenty of illustrations and witty cartoons so you can take off runningRevised and expanded in 2003
Greywater on YouTube!
Everything is on YouTube, it seems!
How to Build a Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater collecting system DIY
Runtime: 535
4331 views
7 Comments:
FreeFlow Water Recyling - patented irrigation, greywater and stormwater systems
Runtime: 335
591 views
0 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Web Pages on Practice and Policy for Greywater Use
- Arizona State's GreyWater Guidline PDF Document
- Arizona provides guidlines for greywater use, what is permitted and what is not.
- Common Greywater Mistakes and Preferred Practices
- An effort to counter the tidal wave of grey water misinformation on the web. Popular greywater system designs that don't yield good results are described. Gray water reuse, treatment, filtration, and irrigation practices which really work are recommended.
- The Greywater Guerrillas
- A book that combines an analysis of water's history with the active fight for its future.
- Greywater - Sustainable Gardening Australia
- Greywater The domestic or household wastewater that comes from the laundry and bathroom is called 'greywater'. Toilet water is termed 'blackwater' and although kitchen water is technically termed greywater, it is treated as blackwater.
Lenses I Like
Discussing Greywater, Permaculture, Water Conservation & Comfrey!
Why comfrey, you ask? Well, my dears, you can create a very simple greywater processing plant using comfrey! Yes, you can! All you need to do is dig a shallow pit or trench, run a pipe or even a hose from your washing machine to it. Top it with lots of straw and plant comfrey in it! Comfrey is thirsty and will thrive in your wash water!-
20 Ways to Conserve Water
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The water on this planet is a finite source that we all need to conserve. Sure, most of the earth's surface is made of water, but only a small percentage is suitable for human consumption. Most of the United States will face some sort of water shorta...
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Comfrey, the wonder plant
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Comfrey is a plant that is much loved by organic gardeners and permaculturalists because of its ability to provide fertility. Comfrey is a dynamic accumulator - it sends down deep roots and extracts mineral nutrients from the depths. These nutrients...
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Permaculture basics - sustainability in action
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Permaculture is a design system that tries to mimic nature to create societies that are sustainable. Permaculture is often thought of as a gardening technique, but actually extends into all areas of life including town planning. Whenever you think ab...
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Caring For Your Septic Tank
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Septic systems are easy to live with and easy to care for as long as you follow some simple rules to keep your tank and leach field in good working order.
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Xeriscaping
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Xeriscaping is the practice of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants. The term derives from the Greek word, xeros, meaning "dry," and scape, meaning "scene". Hence, xeriscaping literally means dryscaping, or "dry s...
Conclusion
The reasons for creating a greywater system are sound:Water conservation
Recycling
Providing nutrient rich irrigation
Affordability
More and more governments are seeing the benefit as more drought conditions prevail. Companies are even producing prepackaged greywater systems to make installation easier. The resources you need are readily available.
So the only question left is:
What are you waiting for, a rainy day?
Please Leave Your Comments Here
Thank YOU!
submit
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Reply
- JoDeeVale JoDeeVale Sep 17, 2009 @ 2:13 pm | in reply to Mesuno
- Thanks for the kind words. I will work on your suggestions. Blessings!
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Reply
- Mesuno Mesuno Sep 17, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
- Hey, nice lens. I've been wanting to set up a grey water system for year. Unfortunately we are a bit restricted by the geography/geometry or our house. There is no way we can get pipes from our water guzzling shower/washer to where it is needed in the garden.
One thing I'd mention - water that has had soaps etc in it is full of impurities. If you put this straight on your veggies it is possible that the impurities will build up in the soil over long periods and damage the plants.
The picture at the top is actually of a miniature reed bed - a type of grey water system which uses plants to filter out debris and break down organic matter before the water is then distributed onto the rest of the garden. It is a good safety measure to protect your plants and reduce the spread of any disease carrying bugs from your shower/laundry to your garden. The roots of the reeds are practically 'pumping' oxygen out into the water where bacteria help break things down.
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Reply
- Mesuno Mesuno Sep 17, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
- Hey, nice lens. I've been wanting to set up a grey water system for year. Unfortunately we are a bit restricted by the geography/geometry or our house. There is no way we can get pipes from our water guzzling shower/washer to where it is needed in the garden.
One thing I'd mention - water that has had soaps etc in it is full of impurities. If you put this straight on your veggies it is possible that the impurities will build up in the soil over long periods and damage the plants.
The picture at the top is actually of a miniature reed bed - a type of grey water system which uses plants to filter out debris and break down organic matter before the water is then distributed onto the rest of the garden. It is a good safety measure to protect your plants and reduce the spread of any disease carrying bugs from your shower/laundry to your garden. The roots of the reeds are practically 'pumping' oxygen out into the water where bacteria help break things down.
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Reply
- Dragonfly Dragonfly Aug 10, 2009 @ 5:57 am
- Hey, thanks for the shoutout! :) I have a group about urban green spaces, and I wish you'd add your lens to it. http://www.squidoo.com/group/create_lens/urbangreen/c499accdf9ec64201708485d4a61f11b
thank you!
Jenie
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Reply
- TheGreenerMe TheGreenerMe Jul 11, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
- Thanks for stopping by my lens! I don't know an awful lot about reusing grey water, but with the limited quantity of water we have, it seems like a viable and obvious choice for some things. Great work!
by JoDeeVale
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