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”
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