Greywater system?

Question

anybody know any references for installing a greywater system? I'm interested in creating one, but I don't know how to go about it. I'll take books, articles, etc.

Answer 1

I would consult your local water district. I live in Las Vegas, and water conservation is a high priority here. My neighbor converted his gutter run-off water to an underground set of PVC pipes. The pipes were laid out in a grid system and buried down about a foot (this depends on your area). The topsoil and the depths of your different soil horizons are important, check your area garden supply store the depth should be similar to any underground sprinkler system.

So you layout the PVC pipe and establish your grid, run the pipes next to your flower beds, your trees (note: trees and most bushes need the water source out to about where the foliage extends to, not at the base of the trunk). Once you have done so, make sure the end on the pipe is capped but is sloped downward away from your home's foundation (too close to your home and you can get mildew and mold) and headed to the lowest point of the property (usually the street).  

Next drill holes into the pipe system, even the cap. This is similar to a drip hose irrigation system, but underground. Make sure you drill plenty of holes evenly spaced, and smaller than the gravel you will be using.

Oh the gravel?.... dig your trenches and line the trench with a layer of gravel or small river stone (depending on the type of soil you have), this layer will allow the water to pass from the hole in the pipe through the rock and into the ground all the while not allowing the mud and dirt to clog the holes. Cover the pipe with the gravel and then fill in with remaining dirt and cover with grass or plants.

Now after you bury your piping connect one end to the run-off end of your gutter system to the new pipe system. The excess water from the rain will trickle down the pipes. If you wish you make a seperate grid for each gutter end...this makes the most sense and maximizes your water delivery.

Note, this is a great way to reduce water usage for plants and flowers, however, remember fertilizer will also trickle down, and sometimes the end which exits near the street can carry the fertilizer to the sewer system, and depending on your local laws, can get you and your animal friends in trouble.

So to be really green use the system, and switch to an organic fertilizer approved by your local utilities or EPA websites.

You can also check these sites

AWWA.org

SNWA.com

greywater.com

remember to call before you dig!

good luck and thanks for conserving :)

Answer 2

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=na...

Answer 3

There's a real cool website about this with diagrams

http://www.greywater.com/

Books and articles are listed at the bottom under References.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

The websites given previously should help you.  I just want to mention that it would be a good idea to reuse bath water any time you can.  Instead of draining the tub, dip it out, use to water plants, grass, etc..  This really helps to conserve and it doesn't matter if it is a little dirty from your bath it still is good for plants, etc...

Answer 5

just get a plumber to seperate the grey water(kitchen sinks all the wash basins ,bath ,shower) in the house from the sewage(toilets)

and these waters can go straight out oif the wall nearest the comodity (this saves many pipes)

And grey water can be used directly as iregation for plants and trees ,if it is very dirty like a washing machine ,you could put it through a french drain first ,to filter is somewhat

a french drain is a covered ditch filled with rocks and the water seeps into the surrounding land and the end overflows unto some trees .

Answer 6

get a book about earthships, they usually have all the info you need on this.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater

Answer 8

I would recommend hiring a septic installer. There are too many rules governing the installation of waste feilds and you could get yourself in hot water if you were to discharge to the groundwater or to surface water.