More cities in California approving Grey Water

More cities in California approving Grey Water

The county of SonomaThe county of Sonoma Permit and Resource Management Department, or PRMD, is trying to figure out whether projects that reuse nontoxic, nonpathogenic wastewater from washing machines or single fixtures, such as showers and sinks, for underground irrigation can qualify for financing under theSonoma County Energy Independence Program, or SCEIP, according to Bob Herr, liquid waste specialist for PRMD.

On Aug. 4, the California Building Standards Commission officially adopted the “laundry to landscape” greywater systems standard as Chapter 16A of Title 24 in the state plumbing code. The body adopted it as an emergency measure in June because of the declared drought.

“There is talk about SCIEP money being used for greywater systems,” Mr. Herr said. “The hitch is that they need to take out a permit, but greywater systems now do not need a permit. So we need to figure out a way to verify the work has been done under the program.”

The department also is concerned about proper design and installation of greywater systems that now don’t need a permit. So a pamphlet is expected to be available soon online at www.sonoma-county.org/prmd and in the PRMD office with information on the new state guidelines. Details on systems and the new standards are available from Oasis Design at www.oasisdesign.net/greywater/law/california/currentcode/, which was a major proponent of the law change. Permit and Resource Management Department, or PRMD, is trying to figure out whether projects that reuse nontoxic, nonpathogenic wastewater from washing machines or single fixtures, such as showers and sinks, for underground irrigation can qualify for financing under the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, or SCEIP, according to Bob Herr, liquid waste specialist for PRMD.

On Aug. 4, the California Building Standards Commission officially adopted the “laundry to landscape” greywater systems standard as Chapter 16A of Title 24 in the state plumbing code. The body adopted it as an emergency measure in June because of the declared drought.

“There is talk about SCIEP money being used for greywater systems,” Mr. Herr said. “The hitch is that they need to take out a permit, but greywater systems now do not need a permit. So we need to figure out a way to verify the work has been done under the program.”

The department also is concerned about proper design and installation of greywater systems that now don’t need a permit. So a pamphlet is expected to be available soon online at www.sonoma-county.org/prmd and in the PRMD office with information on the new state guidelines. Details on systems and the new standards are available from Oasis Design at www.oasisdesign.net/greywater/law/california/currentcode/, which was a major proponent of the law change.