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eddienlinda
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2014 09:34pm
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We have been entertaining the idea of rainwater catchment, and now pondering greywater reuse system.
please share your experiences, and photos/sketches etc...
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 12:09am
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By grey water, do mean all sewage waste water or only non- toilet waste water?
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 08:49am
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What do you intend to do with the greywater, If it is water from doing dishes, hand washing etc It could be reused to water flowers , garden etc. I think grease content and odor would make it unsuitable for much else. old 243
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ATB
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 09:15am
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Quoting: old243 If it is water from doing dishes, hand washing etc It could be reused to water flowers , garden etc. I think grease content and odor would make it unsuitable for much else. old 243
This is exactly what I was planning to do with mine. Only problem is in Michigan with it freezing Dec - April! The frost line I heard was almost to 55 inches this year from one of the locals.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 09:56am
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my greywater runs out to the woods at the camp....in a 2 inch PVC pipe
great place to dig "fish bait" when you are going fishing
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eddienlinda
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 03:03pm
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Toilet waste is not greywater. That's sewage. We are talking about shower, bathroom sink, and washing machine water. Mother Earth News has a great article, as well as others. Anyone here have a greywater holding tank/system?
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 03:20pm - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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Quoting: eddienlinda shower, bathroom sink, and washing machine water
I was as WELL
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 03:45pm
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Any water I wash things or myself in is grey water, it then exits through the same drain into the garden which can be located anywhere.
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eddienlinda
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 04:53pm
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We would want some sort of holding tank/tanks to water at will or with a household as large as ours(5) direct outlets to the garden would keep it over soaked, and super muddy at all times.
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 10:34pm
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My greywater system ,was constructed as follows. We dug a large pit. so the drainwater would flow by gravity. Obtained 4- 45 gallon plastic drums with screw on lids . bored lots of 1/2 inch holes around the barrel's from top to bottom. near the top cut a hole to admit the 3 inch , pvc drain pipe, joined all the barrels togather with 3 inch pvc , near the tops. The water can then flow from one to the other, and out the drain holes. We also brought cellar drains into the pit. Took a 4 inch big O pipe out in a trench, to grade. Packed the whole area , barrels pipes and drains in 3/4 clear stone. Our land slopes away, onto a lawn . Other than having to cut the grass a bit oftener we never see runoff, no smell etc. This has been in service for at least 10 years. All dish, washwater sinks go into it, as well as our cellar drain.
Works well old243
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 11:24pm
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I've heard of two basic designs- the first is like a standard septic, except the tank is smaller and there is less drainfield. The drainfield has pipes set only a foot or a bit more in the dirt, and are located in planting areas so plants will get the water. Smaller tank is required since there are less solids to settle out, but it will still need occasional cleaning out.
Second design leads the water to a sump pump where it is immediately pumped into irrigation lines in planting areas.
The building codes now have chapters on the use of these types of systems, at least here in California. They are required to be engineered if of the pump variety, but I don't know how you would size the tank and drainfield for the passive, gravity flow type. I suggest you contact your local health or building dept before you install, they may be concerned about possible health risks if the water doesn't stay underground.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2014 11:37pm
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In NM the rules discourage holding grey water for more than 24 hours without treatment as bacteria may multiply if held longer. Greywater from kitchen sinks has to pass through a grease separator, to be legal in NM. It's not as simple as one might think, if trying to keep within the laws and good sanitary practices.
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 4 Mar 2014 11:39am
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My greywater system may need to have the barrels cleaned out, but expect that is down the road a ways. The only particles might be with the dish water. Also any grease and soap. This will remain in the barrels, I expect earth worms and bacteria , are breaking this down. Earthworms can come and go if they please.
We also have a septic tank and a tile bed , that is quite new. The only water that goes in this is toilets , a sink and a shower. We are only two in the house , so not a large water usage. old243
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Dekagoldwingers
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# Posted: 4 Mar 2014 08:02pm
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In BC in the area where we have our place, there is no such thing a "grey water". According to the health authority having jurisdiction, it's all sewage and must run into an approve septic system.
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