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.

New Gray water policy adopted by S.A.S.C

The Sustainable Alliance For Southern California has adopted new policy on gray water.

Below is the statement released buy the S.A.S.C

Dear Fellow Sustainability Advocates:

During our regular meeting on October 27, the Sustainability Alliance of Southern California adopted the following official policy position regarding graywater use in Southern California:

"It is the policy of the Sustainability Alliance of Southern California to promote maximum implementation of graywater systems in Southern California. We encourage all jurisdictions within Southern California to proactively support regulatory approval for graywater systems and that incentives, including cash rebates, sewage rate reductions, or reduction in water rates, be evaluated."

We are taking this position of support for graywater reuse for a number of reasons:

1) Simplest way to reclaim and reuse a valuable resource without expensive treatment and re-distribution.

2) Provides a readily available water source for irrigation of yards and greenbelts.

3) Conserves our most precious resource—fresh, potable water.

4) Cuts down on the amount of electricity needed to move water to and throughout our region.

5) Reduces the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated at publicly owned treatment works resulting in less effluent disposed of through ocean outfalls.

6) Less water treated translates to a reduction in related treatment costs and chemicals used in the treatment process.

Supporting this policy now makes sense because...

1) California is in a declared State of Emergency due to extended drought conditions and much needed, potable water is used to irrigate residential landscapes.

2) Statewide legislation supporting use of graywater was recently incorporated into existing building codes, 'opting in' every municipality for graywater use. To opt out, a municipality must hold a public hearing and show just cause for restricting or eliminating graywater use.

a) SB 1258 (which was signed into law in September 2008) directed the Housing and Community Development (HCD) agency to propose building standards for the construction, installation, and alteration of graywater systems for residential indoor and outdoor uses to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC). Existing graywater standards contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, California Plumbing Code, Part 5, Appendix G were based on requirements for private sewage disposal. These standards were found to be overly prescriptive and antiquated and not readily usable by people seeking to install graywater systems for the purpose of water conservation and reuse.

b) The emergency graywater regulations, which added Chapter 16A, Part I "Nonpotable Water Reuse Systems,” were approved by the CBSC on July 30, 2009. The emergency regulations were subsequently filed with the Secretary of State on August 4, 2009, effective immediately upon filing.

The two most significant changes in the new regulations:

1) Single Fixture Systems (such as clothes washers) no longer require a permit and

2) Irrigation lines no longer have to be buried 9 inches, but can simply be placed under 2 inches of mulch.

Considerations for graywater use:

1) It’s best to use non-chlorine bleach when washing clothes.

2) Distribute graywater as widely as possible rather than concentrate (such as in a trench), choosing which zones to saturate, either automatically, or by hand.

3) For optimal results, blend subsoil with a thick layer of bio-dynamic organic matter/topsoil and cover with 1-2 inches of mulch.

Advocates are encouraged to have impact on this issue by:

1) Getting your city council to put the item on their calendar and providing supporting testimony during the formal discussion and vote about whether to adopt the policy position for your city/county.

2) Getting your organization or group to begin promoting graywater use. If so inclined, you can adopt the policy position above.

Thank you for your help guiding our region to implement sustainable practices.

Water Harvesting Open House

Water Harvesting Open House
Sunday, October 25
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
In Talmadge - RSVP for address

Come see water harvesting in action! Guided by Water Harvesting Professional and Permaculturist, Brook Sarson, you'll see how a 1320 gallon rainwater tank combined with laundry greywater and bath greywater work together to grow a garden of edibles using only 1/4 of the water that most San Diegans use each day.

As you tour this urban farm setting, you'll see natural building techniques including a cob chicken coop, decorative benches as well as an earth pizza oven. Brook will be on-hand to talk to you about solutions for your space and how you can make a difference during San Diego's water crisis and beyond.

Please feel free to arrive at any time during the open house to learn about simple greywater systems, do-it-yourself options, rainwater-harvesting systems, resources, or schedule an appointment with Brook to assess greywater opportunities at your site. Suggested donation of $5 will go toward supporting water activism in San Diego. Please RSVP to Brook at brook@h2o-me.com or call 619.964.4838 and I will give you the address.