· Conserve water, energy and money.

· Reduce the demand on fresh water supplies and wells (and energy for the pump).

· Reduce wastewater and burden on public sewage treatment system.

· Increase the lifespan of a septic system.

· Increase points to reach LEED certification goals

· Offset water credit requirements.

· Be part of the sustainable solution to water scarcity.

· Green your landscape without draining precious freshwater from overused aquifers.

Text Box: Graywater recycling systems can save the 30% of indoor potable water used to irrigate your garden by harvesting the graywater from tubs, showers and washing machines. The 35% of indoor potable water used by the washing machine can also be harvested and

TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL WATER USAGE

HOW A GRAYWATER REUSE SYSTEM WORKS

As of August 4, 2009, the CA Plumbing Code, Chapter 16, Part A has been adopted.  This allows unpermitted laundry to landscape graywater use and single fixture to landscape graywater use in single and double occupancy homes with total water use under 250 gallons per day in the state of California. To read Chapter 16, Part A, go to: 
http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/Preface_ET_Emergency_Graywater.pdf

 

The second part of the CA Plumbing Code, Chapter 16, Part B, which determines the reuse of graywater inside the home is currently open for comment.  To read Chapter 16, Part B, go to: http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/recycle/plumb/plumb.cfm

 

WHY REUSE GRAYWATER?

Recent widespread drought in California, combined with the continued growth of cities and the need to provide for environmental flows in our river systems, has resulted in increasing pressure on drinking water supplies in most large cities and many regional areas of the state and all over the world. Graywater from residential premises (single households) is a resource and can be reused on-site for garden and lawn irrigation or, if treated appropriately, for toilet flushing. Substituting graywater for fresh water for these end uses will not only reduce the demand on drinking water supplies, but will also reduce the amount of sewage wastewater discharged to the environment.

 

Where Does Graywater Come From?

Graywater is generated by every residential household that is occupied, and can be reused to provide a reliable source of water for those final uses that do not require drinking water (including irrigation and toilet flushing). The characteristics of graywater produced by a household will vary according to the number, age, lifestyle, health status and water usage patterns of the occupants. Kitchen wastewater and bathroom sink waste water is not eligible for graywater reuse due to the amount of contaminants (food particles, oil and grease, fluoride, contact solution, pharmaceuticals, etc.) it contains. Thus, there are two basic graywater streams:

¨ Bath and shower graywater represents approximately 35 percent of the total household water usage. Bathroom graywater can be contaminated with hair, soaps, shampoos, hair dyes, toothpaste, lint, nutrients, body fats, oils and cleaning products. It may also contain some fecal contamination (and the associated pathogens) through body washing.

¨ Laundry graywater represents approximately 20 percent of the total household water usage. Wastewater from the laundry varies in quality from wash water to rinse water to second rinse water. Laundry graywater can be contaminated with lint, oils, greases, laundry detergents, chemicals, soaps, nutrients and other compounds. It may also contain some fecal contamination (and the associated pathogens) through washing contaminated clothes. Graywater generated from the laundry is often the easier source of graywater to access, although it is usually more contaminated than bathroom graywater.

  THE Benefits OF RECYCLING YOUR Graywater

DEFINING GRAYWATER

Text Box: TO CONTACT US, PLEASE CALL 707-874-9460 OR 707-292-3909 OR EMAIL US AT mamazon@sonic.net

GRAYWATER REUSE REDEFINED IN CALIFORNIA
Text Box: “Graywater is untreated household waste water that has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater includes used water from bathtubs, showers, and bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washers and laundry tubs. It shall not include waste water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.” ~ From the 2007 California Building Code Sec 1602.0 Text Box: Graywater filtration systems can be employed to enhance the reuse of bath/shower and laundry wastewater. It is important for owners and residents to recognize that even with a filtration system, a diverter must be installed so the system can be turned on when sub-surface watering is wanted; at all other times, it can be turned off if needed. Another idea is to have several sub-surface irrigation areas and a diverter to mange the sequence. If the diverter is turned on all the time, overwatering has the potential to significantly damage plants and soil as well as increase the risk to residents’ health. Graywater from a filtration device can be used for sub-surface irrigation. Any graywater that can not be immediately reused for sub-surface irrigation at the residential premises must be diverted to back to the sewage system after any 24 hour period. Reuse of graywater using a filtration device at a residential household is considered to be a low risk activity. By reusing only graywater produced within the household for sub-surface irrigation, the health risks associated with pathogen exposure are reduced, since those residing in the house are likely to have been exposed to the majority of the pathogens in the graywater, through contact with the other residents at the household. The Aqua2Use is specifically designed to provide intensive filtration for graywater reuse from the laundry, shower and bath waste water. Its unique filtration system and in-built pump works seamlessly with your washing machine, bath and shower to ensure your graywater is captured and ready for use. With a Aqua2Use, you could be using hundreds of gallons of useable graywater to keep your garden looking green and leafy all year round. You can connect it to sub-surface irrigation to keep your trees and flowers and lawn happy all year long. The Aqua2Use makes it easy to take care of your flower garden and the environment. The Aqua2use GWDD unit is unique in that it comes with an electronic pump control (EPC). This pump control not only starts and stops the pump via the float level, it also is programmed to override the function of the high float switch at least once per day. This will ensure it will have little or no residual remaining in the unit. The EPC also avoids the use of an external clock which will easily be disrupted by temporary shut down of electrical supply. No electrician is required and only Your Aqua2use GWDD has been designed for minimum maintenance. Due to the high flow capabilities of the 3 dimensional MATALA filters you should only need to clean your unit after approximately 40,000 litres (10,500 gallons) of flow through. Depending of the number of occupants and the amount of water flowing through your unit the cleaning cycle will be between 120 – 180 days. Your MATALA filters still will keep working even up to maximum capacity.

Graywater Reuse Systems

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Graywater Do’s and Don’ts

 

Graywater DOs:

1. DO reuse graywater only for sub-surface irrigation (at least 3 inches below the surface of soil or mulch).

2. DO install a graywater device that incorporates some form of multiple sub-surface irrigation areas.

3. DO be aware of where the graywater system is aimed and if it is diverted back to sewage system.

4. DO select garden-friendly detergents that are biodegradable and low in phosphorus, sodium, boron and chloride.

5. DO select washing detergents that are low in salt – consider using a powder concentrate, or a liquid washing detergent (refer to fact sheets for further information).

6. DO monitor plant and soil response to graywater irrigation.

7. DO occasionally irrigate with drinking water to disperse salts from the soil (only necessary during extended periods of zero rainfall).

8. DO consider applying a soil rewetting agent every six months.

9. DO use a filter to screen solids when using a diversion device.

10. DO ensure that regular maintenance is undertaken, including cleaning out the graywater diversion device filter weekly and maintaining the sub-surface irrigation system.

11. DO consider using irrigation drippers with large openings.

12. DO mark and label all pipes and use signs to indicate graywater reuse.

 

Graywater DON’Ts:

1. DON’T allow graywater to pool or pond at any time.

2. DON’T use graywater as a disposal system, use it as a reuse system with multiple sub-surface irrigation areas.

3. DON’T reuse toilet or kitchen or bathroom sink wastewater.

4. DON’T reuse graywater during rain.

5. DON’T reuse graywater from the washing of diapers or contaminated clothing.

6. DON’T reuse graywater generated by cleaning in the laundry or bathroom, or when using hair dye or other chemicals.

7. DON’T reuse graywater generated by washing rags used for painting or for maintaining machinery and vehicles.

8. DON’T reuse graywater to top up rainwater tanks or swimming pools.

9. DON’T store untreated graywater for more than 24 hours.

10. DON’T over-water; you want graywater to be absorbed.

11. DON’T reuse graywater on plants that will be eaten raw or where fruit has fallen to the ground and could be eaten.

12. DON’T use graywater to wash paths, driveways or cars.

13. DON’T allow direct contact or ingestion of the graywater.

14. DON’T reuse graywater so that it flows into the streets or down storm water drains. Graywater must be 100 feet from potable water (i.e., wells, creeks, stream, rivers, etc.)

15. DON’T let graywater go beyond the property boundary and cause a nuisance to neighbors as this is a health and safety violation and can be penalized by the county with jurisdiction.