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www.ecologycenter.org | 510.548.2220 x 233 | erc@ecologycenter.org

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tGreywater is the used water that drains rom washing machines, bathroom sinks,showers, and tubs. In Caliornia, greywater can legally be used to irrigate plants in theyard, i certain rules are ollowed. Many common household soaps and detergentshave high levels o salts and synthetic compounds that can build up in the soil, so itsimportant to use plant-riendly products with your greywater system. Additionally, toxicdischarges such as rinse water rom paint, chlorine bleach, or hair dye should neverbe released into the greywater system. Instead, they should be routed to the municipalsewer. All greywater systems should have a three-way valve installed to easily switchthe discharge water ow to the sewer or yard.

Product Ingredients

When choosing products to use with a greywater system, generally seek out cleaningproducts that are biodegradable and ree o 1) salts, sodium compounds; 2) boron,borate, and borax; and 3) chlorine bleach.

Ingredients to Avoid:

sodium and ingredients with the word sodium or salt in them

boron/borax (toxic to plants)

chlorine bleach (acceptable alternative: hydrogen peroxide)

sodium perborate sodium trypochlorite petroleum distillate sodium-based water soteners

anti-bacterial soaps & cleaners

whiteners and soteners

Other Synthetic Compounds that Degrade Soil Quality:

chromium oxide

artifcial colors, FD&C colors synthetic ragrance artifcial preservatives parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)Mulch Basin

The eect that certain cleaning product ingredients will have in your yard depends inpart on what type o greywater system is in place. I the greywater is going into thesoil through a mulch basin (terrestrial), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) ingredientsare not a problem and in act end up as soil nutrients. This is the case or greywatersystems that ollow Caliornia code and typical laundry-to-landscape type systems.I greywater is discharged in or near a creek or other body o water, however,these same nutrients will cause harmul algae to grow. For this and other reasons,

greywater should not be used within 100 eet o a creek or body o water.

Contaminants

Send to sewer all water used to wash diapers or similarly soiled items and whenmembers o the household or guests have a communicable disease such as Staphor Hepatitis. Divert all water containing hazardous chemicals and water rom oily orgreasy rags. When in doubt about whether a cleaning product is compatible, dontuse it in your greywater system. Dont plant root vegetables or edible leay greens inthe greywater garden. Use greywater or owers, herbs, and above-ground ruitingvegetables. Wash ood beore eating it, and wash hands ater working in the soil.

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Laundry Greywater Systems

Look or products that list their ingredients. Youre more apt to fnd greywater-compatible products at natural oods grocerystores and ecologically-minded stores. Choose liquid soaps over powder as they tend to contain less sodium.

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Bi Pa laud liquid Bik laud liquid A (pfum, bihi a, a, +?)

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Hd Pid bah ev laud wash (sm sa) wi (?)

Vaska Hba Muai g laud D Iv S (zms +?)

lift laud liquid c (hi bah)

lua Sap nus Svh gai (zms) Ba

Bik Ba ou (sdium paba, zms)

Bik o Bah Pus (sdium sufa)

? The question marks in the table above indicate that these products do not list all o their ingredients on their labels.This is a common practice with many conventional brands. It is sae to assume that many o these products containartifcial colors and scents among their ingredients.

Bathroom Sink and Shower Greywater Systems

There are numerous ingredients to avoid in body care products. The Skin Deep database can help you fnd out whatchemicals are in your body & beauty products: www.ewg.org/skindeep/. Many greywater-compatible soaps are available atthe Ecology Center store, Berkeley Bowl stores, and other natural grocery stores.

Greywater-Compatible Body Soaps & Shampoos: Dr. Bronners Magic Soaps (liquid) Aubrey Organics Shampoos Oasis dishwash/all-purpose cleaner or handwashing dishes, body & shampoo

Most bar soaps are fne, but they make the water more basic (opposite o acidic), so dont use that greywater or acid-loving plants (eg. blueberries or rhododendrons)

Greywater-Compatible Household Cleaners & All Purpose Liquid Cleaners:

Oasis dishwash/all-purpose cleaner or handwashing dishes, body & shampoo

Dr. Bronners Liquid Castille Soap

Ecos: Creamy Cleanser, Parsley Plus, Furniture Polish, Window Kleener, Floor Kleener, Carpet Shampoo

Recommended Resources

City o Berkeley Home Graywater Guide: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=45756Laundry Detergent Ingredients: www.epa.gov/de/pubs/laundry/techact/keychar.htmGreywater Action: greywateraction.org/aqs/greywater-recycling#aq1

, 5th ed., by Art Ludwig(includes Caliornia greywater code requirements)

swater.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=55Rainwater Harvesting or Drylands:

www.harvestingrainwater.com/greywater-harvesting/greywater-compatible-soaps-and-detergents/

Greywater-Compatible Cleaning Products (continued)

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