GRASSROOTS GREYWATER: low tech ~ low cost ~ benign Christina Bertea Greywater Action Greywater Alliance April 9, 2010.

GRASSROOTS GREYWATER:

low tech ~ low cost ~ benign

Christina BerteaGreywater Action

Greywater Alliance

April 9, 2010

TWO “LANDSCAPE DIRECT” SYSTEMSgreywater flows directly to the landscape with:

NO tanks

NO filters

NO added pumps

NO connection to the potable water supply

NO PROBLEMS!

LITTLE MAINTENANCE

EASY TO LEARN ~ INSTALL

AFFORDABLE ($100 - $300 for materials)

goal: widespread implementation resulting in significant conservation

presenting ~ demystifying

GREYWATER CODE BASICS(RELEVANT TO THESE TWO SYSTEMS)

* able to divert flow back to sewer/septic (3-way valve)

* direction of flow clearly labeled

* no spray irrigation, ponding or runoff/must stay on property where generated * minimize contact with humans/domestic pets

* irrigation or disposal field may be a “mulch basin”

* discharge point covered by 2” of mulch/rock/soil or a solid shield

* an operation/maintenance manual stays with the house

* no root crops; greywater must not contact edible portion of food crops

greywater dischargesinside “mulch shield”

to mulch basin

“Mulch. Organic waste material....permeable enough to allow rapid infiltration of graywater.”

“Mulch Basin.A type of irrigation or disposal field filled with mulch...of sufficient depth, length and widthto prevent ponding or runoff.”

mulch basin

image from “Create and Oasis with Greywater” by Art Ludwig

since “landscape direct” systems discharge greywater into mulch basins

they are most suited to watering:

treesshrubs

large plants

not appropriate for:

lawnsgroundcovers

beds with many small plants

“...utilizing only a single domestic clothes washing machine in a one- or two-family dwelling.”

“A clothes washer system in compliance with... (12 guidelines) is exempt from a construction permit...”

* water from washing diapers, infectious garments, or anything soiled with hazardous chemicals (oily rags) must be diverted back to sewer/septic

* does not alter the plumbing or impact other building systems or safety

* no added pump or potable water connection

“CLOTHES WASHER SYSTEM”

“LAUNDRY TO LANDSCAPE” SYSTEM

features:

* easy to use diverter valve

* washer pump pushes greywater to garden

* uses 1” PVC to 1” HDPE with 1/2” outlets into mulch basins

* design flexibility--can go slightly uphill or across flat yard

* can have multiple zones/ regulate amount to different plants

* easy to change

* must choose “bio-compatible” laundry soaps

1” zone valve

1/2” outlets

1” HDPE main

1” HDPE main, 1/2” branches

auto-vent to break siphon

1” three-way valve

LAUNDRY TO LANDSCAPEmulch basins

drawing by Christina Bertea

1” three-way valve installation

code requires labeling to indicate direction of flow

through diverter valve

auto-vent/studor vent/

air admittance valve--

installed at high point,

ideallyoutdoors

prevents siphoning of refill wateronce pump has stopped

1” ball valves can direct flow through 1” HDPE mains

to different areas of garden

a 1” three-way valve can be used outdoors to create two zones:

(no danger of both zones being closed

at the same time)

1”x1/2” barbed tees direct greywater through 1/2” HDPE to outlets in mulch

1/2” ball valves can be used to “balance” flows

HDPE tubing will be buried and mulch shield will be placedaround outlet and covered with tile, paver, or stone

“MULCH SHIELD” outlet chamber:

by inverting a one or two gallon plastic potand cutting around the bottom, the “lid” can be flipped open to look inside

or perforated pipe can be used

(tops are covered with tiles, pavers, or stones)

from “Create an Oasis with Greywater” by Art Ludwig

Homemade “Mulch Shields”:

--cheaper than valve boxes

--maintain a void that prevents mulch or roots from clogging outlet

--mark outlet location, allow inspection to monitor flow

--protected with paver, stone or tile

outlets no smaller than 1/2” allow lint to flow through

one end of a 1” main is left open asfailsafe

Santa Rosa’s first rebated greywater system:

completed during a two-day installer training

Happy homeowner with Laura Allen,instructor and co-founder of the

Greywater Guerrillas(now Greywater Action)

“BRANCHED DRAIN” SYSTEMfeatures:

* “simple system” PERMIT REQUIRED if under 250 gpd outflow

* for TUBS, SHOWERS, SINKS (except kitchen sink/dishwasher)

* three way DIVERTER VALVE IS CUT INTO DRAIN LINE

* GRAVITY FLOW through 1-1/2” ABS to garden

* piping installed with 1/4” per foot CONTINUOUS SLOPE to garden

* must be able to clear foundation

* no limit to distance other than depth of trench (given slope)

* flow is distributed by DOUBLE ELL “splitters”

* discharges greywater inside mulch shield to mulch basin

“The design of simple systems

shall be acceptable to the Enforcing Agency

and shall meet

generally accepted graywater system design criteria.”

SINKS typically have traps above the floora three-way diverter valve can be cut into the drain pipe in the wall for easy access

drains for TUBS and SHOWERS are under floor in crawlspace or basement

the drain line must be cut to install the three-way diverter valve

slabs make this greywater inaccessible

electronic “actuators”can operate

difficult to access valves:

the switch is mountedin a convenient location

requires electricitymust be labeled

plywood “access panel”in downstairs art studio

has handle position labeling drawn on it

to select “zones” for greywatering:

a three-way valve or ball valvescan be used

“flow splitters” or “double ells”:

ifperfectly level

with 2’ of straight pipe leading into them

will split the flow evenly

best if supported by brick or stone

“Create an Oasis with Greywater” by Art Ludwig

1” tapped plugs can be removed to monitor flow through double ells

provide access in case of clogs

a tile/paver/stone marks location

“the discharge point....shall be covered by at least 2 inches of mulch, rock, or soil, or a solid shield to minimize the possibility of human contact”

“Mulch Shield”

solid shield

images from “Create an Oasis with Greywater” by Art Ludwig

homemade mulch shield or purchased valve box

maintains open space around outlet

protects outlet from clogging with mulch or roots

greywater freefalls onto mulch at bottom

Two LANDSCAPE DIRECT Systems

LAUNDRY TO LANDSCAPE BRANCHED DRAIN

Permit? No, if follow guidelines Yes, simple system (?)

Distributed by Washing machine pump Gravity

Through 1” PVC to 1” HDPE 1-1/2” ABS

Slope of line can go slightly uphill consistent 1/4” per foot

Discharged into mulch shield mulch shield

Irrigation field mulch basin mulch basin

greywateraction.org

greywateralliance.org

“towards a sustainable water culture”