graywater systems

[mjeff87]

Preface: I'm a newb, and am probably the furthest thing away from a plumber you're ever likely to meet.....

Flipping thru this year's edition of Farmer's Almanac and read an article on graywater recycling systems. It seems to me like it would be a ton of work, and the kind of work you'd do on new construction in the framing stage, but does anyone on GJ have any sort of wastewater recycling system going on? The idea of using waste wash (clothes washer and shower) water sounds kind of intriguing to me.

Thanks,

Jeff

p.s. I'm not a tree-hugger, rather a cheapa@@......I'm interested in this for utility cost avoidance

 

[bimmer1980]

a co-worker's father in florida has a setup. I haven't seen it, but I have heard some description of the system....

Basically a tank in the basement that all the shower water flows into. it is lightly processed and then sent to the toilets.... I think....

I like the idea as well, but I think it is best used in new construction or major remodels.

As a rule, we waste a lot of water.

 

[barn full]

Water is so cheap in this country you'd never realize any ROI. However, clean water is so scarce everywhere else in the world, it might make you feel really good to know that you aren't flushing your toilets with drinking water.

I am going to build a system to reuse our gray water in the next couple of years. The main motivation for me is that our aging septic system is not handling our modern appliances well. It's 50 years old and wasn't built for all the water we send down. My plan is for the septic system to receive toilet water only and recycle the grey water. Surplus grey water will go out a much smaller leach system with a really small (50 gal.) clarifying tank.

 

[z28snksknr]

I think you would have a greater reduction of fresh water usage for the $ by using energy / water efficient washing machines, toilets, and dishwashers.

I think conservation is better than recycling here.

 

[RPH]

I live in the country with a septic system and gray watr. It does keep the chemicals out of the tank, I can tell when the wife does a few loads of wash in the summer because the lawn will turn brown over the drain pipes on the gray water. I do use a newer washer for water conservation to begin with. It works quite well.

 

[mjeff87]

yeah, we got all new high-efficiency appliances with the new house, even a "power usage monitor" that's supposed to hook up to the panel somehow to track usage (haven't felt the urge to figure it out yet.....)

I had the water co. install a companion meter to feed the irrigation system, too. The installation cost is 'supposed' to pay for itself over time because we're only billed for actual water used thru that meter and not any sewerage cost. Like barn full said, the concept of not using potable water in the crapper is good.

Jeff

 

[rsanter]

there is a system that will take all the wastewater in the house, slightly processes it to remove the solids and some of the liquid junk and then it stores this greywater for use in irrigation on site. this is a newer type replacement for the traditional septic system.
the cost is about $10,000.
when you save water, you also save pumping energy for that water saved. in some places in this country the water and power are so cheap it will never pay for itself. however in other areas that costs of water and power are enough that that could work.
another thing about that system is that it is an alternative to a traditional septic system if they will not allow you to put one in and you do not have access to city sewer

bob

 

[texasOFT]

Google Earth Ship housing. They built some houses up at Taos NM that recycle the gray water. May have anther twist on it for you. May have a contact for information.

 

[VHF]

A greater utility $$$ savings might be realized by reclaiming the heat that is the gray water that goes down the drain rather than reusing the water itself.

I'm considering getting a gray water heat recovery heat exchanger. The original was the GFX, but the PowerPipe seems to offer a lower pressure loss. Both are basicly a section of vertical copper drain pipe with a coil (or coils) of copper supply pipe wrapped around it. The heat in the outgoing waste water pre-warms the incoming water, reducing the load on the water heater. The main savings are during showers when the hot water is going down the drain at the same time you are using it.

If you spend $600 on a unit and save $150 a year heating your water (possible for those with electric water heaters), that's a ROI of only 4 years.

I want to do a little more research before I buy one--including measuring the temperature of my shower drain water by the time it makes it to the basement. My incoming well water is pretty cold (45-46F) all year around; if this device could pre-heat it to 70F or even 65F that would cut down on the electricity required.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have a grey water system here. All my water goes back into the garden and not wasted. Water can be a hassle here so it is not wasted in any way. All our rain water that is used in the house then goes out to the grey water system and then pumped out underground to water plants or pumped via a hose to tres to be watered.

 

[ddawg16]

Los Angeles County has now approved the use of gray water systems....

I'll be starting a 2-story addition to the house soon so i'm considering doing one.......but only collect bath water and use it for the grass and garden....

We can go 6-8 months without a drop of water....it's getting to where electricity is cheaper than water.....but I also plan to install solar cells....

I'm no tree hugger....but, I hate to see waste....

I figure I can do a majority of the work...biggest expense will be a tank...but I figure the water savings will be recovered in a couple of years....

 

[tcianci]

Ddawg mentioned that the county he lives in allows grey water systems. That would be the first thing I would check on in your area. Otherwise you could end up in a tangle with your local board of health. My feeling is that re-using water is a good idea and codes should allow for it.

 

[ddawg16]

Guys....here is a great website with some good info.

Graywater Systems

After reading it I'm rethinking it......one of the most important points made is storage....basically, you want to use the graywate within 24 hours.....

Read through it.....some really good points to ponder...

 

[Teken]

Great read many thanks . . . I look forward to being able to do this in the not too distant future.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

 

[gsport]

living in oregon, sometimes i think we have too much water (rain)