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It's Time to Seriously Consider Graywater Againby Lawson SchallerDrought time - how long will this one last? One thing is for sure, our Central Coast regions' water resources are under severe pressure, again. Most of us know the usual suggestions and tips on how to save water:
The cost benefit of fixtures, appliances, and gray water systems vary. In time they pay for themselves. In the meantime our precious resources get a break. Consider that graywater system. Graywater is defined as water from the home that is not from the kitchen sink or the toilets. Those sources are considered black water. Laundry water is one of the more common sources of graywater due to the easy access of the plumbing. Graywater, however, is somewhat new on the scene. Graywater had a big splash a couple decades ago when drought conditions were again upon us. Actually, the Central Coast was somewhat of a leader in graywater back then. Art Ludwig from Santa Barbara and Ron Munds from SLO, along with others, worked hard to get graywater into the mainstream. But, as the rains returned, so returned the bad habits and short term memory of many water users - the idea graywater drifted to the distant shore. Graywater use is legal in SLO County, though many have the impression that it isn't. There are unsafe, and sometimes illegal, methods in reusing graywater that should be avoided. SLO County and many cities such as Morro Bay and Atascadero do issue permits, for a fee, to reuse graywater via approved systems. Typical (re)use of graywater is running it to an outdoor garden, tree, or vegetated swale, normally non-edible gardens. The key point is that graywater must remain subsurface. You will want to select plants that are robust in graywater conditions. There is a host of ways to reuse graywater. A number of local contractors, plumbers, and landscapers are familiar with graywater practices. One needs to know the laws, and the basic do’s and do not’s of graywater before diving in. This information will soon be available in a convenient, locally produced guide. Safety first folks... even though leading experts claim that there are no documented cases of illness from any graywater systems. By installing even the simplest graywater system we can all help to reduce demand on our precious and fragile aquifers here on the Central Coast. A coalition of local non-profit groups in SLO, the San Luis Obispo Coalition of Appropriate Technology (SLO-COAT) is working with government entities to complete a graywater guide for those ready to seek a graywater permit. SLO-COAT members include the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, the San Luis Bay Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, and SLO Green Build, our local green building experts. SLO-COAT has brought in several nationally known speakers and experts to help spread the word on appropriate technologies such as Bock Dolman, Jonathon Todd, Brad Lancaster, and Art Ludwig. |
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Safety & GraywaterAvoid human contact, or potential for human contact (use subsurface discharge) and check with your local authorities for gray-water system The most common illegal use of graywater is above ground discharge from pipes onto lawn or garden. Also, a direct discharge to the gutter or driveway is not only illegal use of graywater but also a stormwater /drainage violation. |
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