What is it?
Greywater is water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not water that has come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from washing diapers.

Greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products. While greywater may look “dirty,” it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water in a yard. There are simple, economical ways to reuse greywater in the landscape.

Is it legal?  Yes.
California recently updated its plumbing code as it relates to residential greywater reuse.  The new code eases regulations for recycling residential wastewater, making it legal to reuse greywater from bathroom sinks, showers and laundry for irrigation without extensive underground systems and, in some cases, without a construction permit.

Why reuse greywater?
It is said there is no such thing as “waste,” just misplaced resources.  Greywater systems turn “wastewater” and its nutrients into useful resources.  Greywater reuse reduces demand on conventional water supplies and reduces pressure on sewage treatment systems.  It is very beneficial to local waterways – especially in times of drought.  Greywater is especially beneficial for fruit trees, giving you an opportunity to get even more back for your effort in the form of edibles.

share this!