Laundry to Landscape Workshop
Welcome! Graywater Overview Laundry to landscape Permit exemption rules Indoor 3-way valve Outdoor irrigation Plants and products Estimating graywater potential System mock-ups
Frequently Asked Questions How long can I store graywater? Can I water my lawn with graywater? How much potable water will I save? 16-40% depending on the site Do I need a permit?
When a permit is required Sink or bath Alteration of plumbing Not a 1 or 2 unit building Anytime a pump is used Anytime a surge tank is used
No permit is required if… Graywater comes from washing machine only System does NOT alter household plumbing System is for a 1 or 2 unit building System follows code guidelines See appendix B
Integrated design: Roof catches water, rain infiltrations into basins, rain and graywater grow shade, food, wildlife habitat, and beauty.
Install a clothesline! Inside and outside! Line-dried textiles last longer reduces fiber damage less lint, means fewer clogs Real energy savings $ Reduces carbon dioxide emissions
Install a clothesline!
What is graywater? • Is water from Showers/baths Washing machines Sinks (lavatory or bathroom sinks) Kitchen sinks (not considered graywater in CA) • Not from Toilets or diaper wash water 9
Concerns with Graywater • 1. Potential environmental pollution Nutrients in graywater can contaminate creeks by causing algae to grow and decompose, consuming oxygen If harmful chemicals are in graywater they can get into the environment • 2. Potential contact with pathogens No case of illness from graywater, but all systems should be designed to avoid potential ingestion/infection Improper design can create a "cross connection" where graywater can enter potable water pipes. • 3. Potential problems with neighbors 10
Ways to use Graywater 1.Outdoor use- Landscape direct (low tech) No pumps (if possible) no filters, no connection to other irrigation systems 2.Outdoor use- For drip irrigation (high tech) Needs pumps, filters, and automatic cleaning of filter, connected to domestic water source 3. Indoor use (toilet flushing?) Needs filtering and disinfectant, needs a pump (not allowed under Chap. 16A graywater code)
Soaps & Detergent Products Things to avoid for happy plants and soil: • Salt (sodium compounds) eg “ Sodium Lauryl Sulfate” Boron (borate) Chlorine bleach (hydrogen peroxide bleach okay) Vinegar will make soil too acidic Also watch out for your own health: • Research harmful substances in products: cosmeticdatabase.org Recommended products: Salt/boron/carcinogen free • Laundry: Oasis, ECOS, Biopac, Vaska & more Shower: Aubrey Organics, and more General: Dr. Bronners
Estimating Graywater Production • Top loading Top loading • • Front loading machine= machine machine • 12-25 gallon/load • = 30-50 = 30-50 • • How many gallons gallons/load gallons/load per week does your house produce? • gallons/week= gallons/week= • # loads/week x # loads/week x • Could this number gallons/load gallons/load change?
Plant Water Requirements • In San Francisco: • A small-medium sized tree needs about 10-20 gallons per week – A small-medium sized shrub needs about 5- 10 gallons per week – A drought tolerant shrub needs about 2-4 gallons per week – *note: these are very rough estimates! Plant water requirements are affected by microclimate, sun and wind exposure, soil type, type of plant, ground water depth, etc. Established trees may need NONE!
How many plants can you irrigate? • Use the estimated gallons per week and estimate about how many of the plants in your yard you can irrigate with graywater. • If your yard has an irrigation system, think about what sections you can run parallel with graywater and switch between as needed.
Example • Front loading machine: 15 gallons per load, 5 loads per week= • 75 gallons per week. • This could irrigate 4-8 fruit trees.
Laundry to landscape
Anti-siphon Sewer connection Diverter 3-way diverter valve valve "auto" Vent Graywater goes to landscape Prevents siphon from continuously emptying machine as it tries to fill 1" pipe
Discharge under 2" into mulch Bury and stake tubing ½ inch lines irrigate off main 1" line
Graywater Outlets
GW discharges in mulch shield, under stone. (CA code compliant) GW flows out a Tee (not code compliant)
Code Summary • Don'ts ⇨ Do's Have pooling or runoff ⇨ Have 3-way valve – Discharge into – ⇨ Label system neighbor's yard (must ⇨ Discharge under 2" follow setbacks) mulch/rock/cover Connect to potable – water supply ⇨ Direct water to Include a pump – irrigation or disposal Violate other codes/laws – field Damage building – ⇨ Minimize contact Alter existing plumbing – ⇨ Have a maintenance Use diaper wash water – manual or hazardous chemicals (oily rags, etc.)
Laundry to landscape- 3-way valve connection Materials Brass threaded 1” three-way valve (2) 1” PVC male adapters (1) 1” barbed male adapter (1) hose clamp Teflon tape Tools Channel locks, hole saw, pilot drill bit, caulking gun, 3/8” hex head, pipe cutter or saw 23
Rigid plastic, hard to get seal L2L- washer hose connection Rubber, easy to form seal Washer hoses Washer hoses Usually 1” ” Usually 1 Sometimes 3/4” ” Sometimes 3/4 ¾ x 1” threaded bushing 3/4” barbed fitting If rigid plastic If rigid plastic • Hot water • Hot water • Vinyl "coupling" for water tight seal Vinyl "coupling" for water tight seal • 24
Laundry to landscape- anti-siphon valve Used to prevent a potential siphon from forming and draining the machine as it tries to refill. • Autovent, AAV, In- line vent 25
Laundry to landscape- anti-siphon connection 1 ½ ” FPT (female pipe Reducing bushing Autovent 1 ½ ” threads threads) by slip coupling 1 ½ ” x 1” slip Anti-siphon must be in the highest point of the system, visible, and preferably outside in case of leaks. Do not put it in the wall or in an inaccessible location. 26
Strapping and Labeling Label shows how handle position directs graywater Valve securely strapped. Should be strapped with “like” material, may need wood backing to drill Into if wall is sheet rock. 27
Consider your washing machine setup. Consider your washing machine setup. Where would you place the valve? Where would you place the valve? How will you mount it? How will you mount it? What type of labeling will you do? What type of labeling will you do? 28
Paint plastic pipe to protect from UV Paint plastic pipe to protect from UV Seal around hole with Sikaflex Seal around hole with Sikaflex
Piping to landscape You may have to pipe around decks, patios, etc. You may need to bypass hardscape You may need to pipe through the crawl space Try and maintain downwards slope when ever possible!
Hardscape The enemy of graywater Go under it Go around it Remove it Saw out a strip Patch it
Slope considerations #1 rule- protect machine's pump #1 rule- protect machine's pump Flat yard- no more than 50 ft. (rule of thumb Flat yard- no more than 50 ft. (rule of thumb distance) distance) Don't pump more than 2' above the rim of the machine, every 50' flat= 1.5' rise If site slopes down, no rule on distance If site slopes down, no rule on distance Uphill- not recommended! Uphill- not recommended! If you need to pump up to reach the landscape follow If you need to pump up to reach the landscape follow the 2' rule, and then irrigate immediately the 2' rule, and then irrigate immediately – – Use a swing check valve to prevent back flow Use a swing check valve to prevent back flow into the machine into the machine Downhill Downhill 33 Don't plug end! Serpentine tubing to avoid steep runs Don't plug end! Serpentine tubing to avoid steep runs
On-line friction calculators http://www.calculatoredge.com/mech/pipe%20friction.htm • 34
Downwards slope Serpentine tubing down slope, irrigate on contour in mulch crescents 35
Landscape Considerations Irrigate closest area to the washer that is NOT uphill Irrigate larger plants (trees, shrubs, perennials) Top loading machines 12 outlets possible Front loading machines 8 outlets possible 36
Set backs (from plumbing code Ch. 16A) 2’ from buildings 1.5’ (18”) from property line (for irrigation) 100 feet from creeks 37
Step 1: Dig mulch basins Prevent runoff Provide surge capacity Prevent pooling (exposure) Dug in “drip line” of plant Size depends on quantity of graywater and soil type 38
Mulch basin construction Discharge 2" under mulch shield for code compliance 39 Drawings from "Create an Oasis with graywater"
A shovel will be needed 40
Step 2: Dig trench and lay tubing to basins Keep tubing out of the way, and out of sunlight. Stake down as needed 41
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