California Greywater Laws Are in Review - Support the New, Less Restrictive Code in your Local Jurisdiction

August 24, 2009

The Building Standards Commission recently voted to pass the new California greywater code (Chapter 16 in the CA Plumbing Code) which will allow residents to dispel washing machine and shower greywater into their landscapes without needing a permit.

The new greywater irrigation code took effect on August 4, 2009, as a response to growing concerns over severe drought conditions in our area. The Yard Fairy is in support of this new, less stringent code and encourages you to speak out in your community in favor of the changes.

Here is a summary of the new greywater code (as it's written now):

• A permit will no longer be needed for a washing machine greywater system as long as the system follows health and safety guidelines outlined in the code

• A permit will no longer be needed for a single fixture (one shower) if guidelines are followed

• A simple, mulch drainage basin is now a permissible form of greywater filtration

• There are less requirements for "simple" greywater drainage systems than there were before

• Acceptable depth of greywater discharge is now 2" under mulch (it was formerly 9" under dirt)

The concern is that plumber unions and other concerned parties may try to generate negative press against the new greywater code, which is in a review period and subject to changes.

Local jurisdictions are permitted to amend these laws and make them more restrictive, so we encourage you to get out and show your support for this common-sense based decision that will help us conserve a critical, life-sustaining resource - water! Go out there while you have the chance, and let your voice be heard by your local decision makers.

Greywater Overview

Greywater is water that flows down the sink, shower and washing machine drains. Although it often contains dirt, grease, hair, and household cleaning products, greywater is safe for landscape irrigation. Earlier this year, The Yard Fairy hosted a training seminar offered by The Greywater Guerillas where we learned to set up a greywater piping system using mulch to filter out impurities. The system returns the recycled water to the soil where it can nourish your plants without polluting the environment.

If you avoid contaminating your greywater with toxic substances, you can pipe it directly outside into your yard, right into the soil. The Greywater Guerillas recommend first sending the water into a mulch basin or bucket infiltrator where impurities will be filtered away.

At The Yard Fairy, we have done some research into substances that should be avoided if you're planning on implementing a greywater recycling system into your landscape. Many household cleaners contain chlorine, sodium, boron, phosphate and other harmful chemicals which should not make contact with your soil or plants.

Before transitioning over to the greywater recycling system, we recommend switching to eco-friendly products. We've even done our research to find out which are the best for greywater recycling purposes.

Shop for greywater-friendly cleaners at our convenient Amazon store.

Important: Greywater should not make direct contact with the edible portions of your plants. This is why it's important to pipe the water into the soil, as opposed to spraying it.

The Greywater Guerrillas recommend that you follow these basic guidelines when setting up your greywater filtering system:

• Avoid storing greywater (more than 24 hours)

• Minimize contact with greywater

• Infiltrate greywater into the ground. Do not allow it to pool up or run off. Knowing th soil percolation rate of your soil and designing mulch basins will help with this.

• Keep your system as simple as possible. Avoid pumps and filters that need upkeep.

• Match your plants' irrigation needs with the amount of greywater they'll receive.

If you require assistance setting up a greywater landscape irrigation system, contact Diane at The Yard Fairy today. She can be reached via email at info@yardfairy.com or by phone at 760 804 1661.

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