Grey Water System

Last year we installed a grey water system using water from the kitchen and laundry room. We estimated the amount of water needed for several fruit trees and garden plants. Our system is designed according to the information in the book, Create an Oasis with Greywater

by Art Ludwig. His system requires water to flow

underground through 2” pipe to brick box enclosures. The water feeds through the gaps in the bricks into mulch basins.

 

Locating Our System

- Find a waste water source that is grey water (non-portable water but not a Black water or toilet source)

- Route or reroute the plumbing to an underground area that will benefit a garden or flower bed

- Make sure the drainage system meets or exceeds municipal zoning requirements

- Manage the plant life that has this new source of reclaimed water

 

Since it was a new construction project, we did not have to re-work the existing plumbing. The new plumbing from the kitchen stopped at the foundation of the house. We needed to design the plumbing from the house to the fruit trees and some garden vegetables. Running the pipe was easy, but what happens after the water arrives at the trees?

 

 

Planning for the Drainage

We needed a drainage plan. We searched the Internet and someone who was piping the water to drainage boxes that would allow the water to filter and distribute to the trees.

The boxes were about one foot square and one foot deep from the top of the drainage inlet. We placed 4x4x16 concrete blocks for the walls of the boxes. We knew that wood or steel would deteriorate over time. We did not want to open them up after they had been used for a couple of years.

 

We selected a three-foot diameter area surrounding the boxes to add a layer of rock to allow for some quick drainage before the grey water could reach the roots. A mulch basin was added later.

 

We duplicated this system in a series of three connected garden beds. This meant we needed to make sure we had a slight slope from one system to the next to make sure water could distribute evenly.

 

Today, we have three thriving garden areas with fruit trees and some fun garden vegetables growing because of grey water from the kitchen sink and dishwasher.

 

Note: I should mention that it is important to use biodegradable detergents. Some types of soaps will kill plant life.

 

Gary
December 2008