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Phosphate rich soaps and mild cleaning chemicals in your wastewater (greywater and reuse of washing machine water) are considered pollutants because they accelerate algae growth in the waterways, which in turn leads to oxygen depletion for fish and other marine lifeforms. The beauty of this "problem" is that these same phosphorous, nitrogen, potassium and protein "pollutants" are excellent sources of nutrition when you reuse greywater for irrigation of fruit trees, landscaping, and gardens (planterbeds).
The wastewater your home produces is called effluent and consists of greywater (kitchen, shower, sink, reuse of washing machine water and laundry waste) and blackwater (toilet and garbage disposal waste). The key to a workable, code-compliant, gray water irrigation system is separate plumbing for your blackwater (composting toilet, vault, or septic tank system). Compared to blackwater, greywater has a very small amount of organic and pathogenic pollutants, so there truly is no need for treatment of graywater in a conventional septic tank. In fact, your septic tank and leach field are being overworked by mixing graywater and blackwater - the last thing your septic tank needs is bacteria killing soaps and more water from the washing machine. The longer your septic tank (blackwater) has time to settle, the better. The less germ killing soaps and detergents in your septic tank, the better. At the very least, your washing machine should be diverted away from the septic tank. Adding a greywater kit to a new or existing septic system is an excellent way to reduce septic tank pumping frequency. Please read the beginning of our septic chapter for detailed information on how a conventional settling tank and leach field works. Greywater settling tanks ("filter basins") work exactly the same as septic tanks - they are just smaller since little or no solids are going into the system.
Please note that even if you don't have to obtain a building permit for your greywater system now, it doesn't mean a future owner won't be required to.
We highly recommend keeping resale value, cost effectiveness, and future health code enforcement firmly in mind when considering graywater irrigation.
Roof run-off cisterns are an excellent source of toilet flushing water should you wish to conserve, but recycling greywater to flush your toilet is simply not cost-effective and is potentially unhealthy.
It is much easier, less expensive, and worlds safer to directly dispose of greywater in a leaching pit or reuse in an irrigation field (planterbed).
We do not sell systems to reuse greywater for flushing toilets and do not recommend you even consider this expensive, 'high-tech' answer to a much simpler question.
From an environmental standpoint, the main reason for greywater reuse is to actually reuse the soaps, skin particles, shampoo, and hair conditioner as plant fertilizer, keeping them out of the waterways.
Phosphate rich soaps and mild cleaning chemicals in your wastewater are considered pollutants because they accelerate algae growth in the waterways, which in turn leads to oxygen depletion for fish and other marine life.
To buy an expensive system, have it installed, dedicate the floor space, and maintain the filters and UV treatment bulbs simply to sterilize greywater and flush your toilet with it is not cost effective nor environmentally conscious.
What little greywater is produced by the average family is better directly reused for plant growth or simply disposed of back into the aquifer.
At the very least, it makes absolutely no sense to flush the phosphate and bacteria killing soap laden filtered greywater down the toilet and into your septic tank where it disrupts digestive function.
The extreme risk of legal liability is always a consideration for the savvy contractor, homeowner, and your local building officials.
What happens when the system fails to sterilize the greywater properly and someone gets sick as a result?
Here in the United States, a toilet full of "sterilized" graywater is a lawsuit just waiting to happen; that's why toilet water reuse systems have never caught on.
It does not require a vivid imagination to picture a neighbor's three year old child imitating the family dog and taking a drink out of your toilet, getting infected, and finding you and your contractor in court.
Stick to a simple direct reuse, non-electric, greywater recycling or disposal system ... avoid high tech storage and toilet flushing greywater schemes.
Here's several classic greywater system design mistakes to avoid:
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and keep lint out of your leach field! The simplest, most effective leach field (planterbed) health insurance is a strainer bag on your washing machine effluent. Install your utility room sink alongside and attach a five gallon paint strainer bag to the washing machine effluent with a hose clamp (see left). Laundry lint (synthetic fibers, especially) and hair does not decompose readily - it will eventually clog any leach field by creating an impenetrable bio-mat. Our settling tank system removes/contains debris and fats, ensuring a long-lasting irrigation or disposal system. Install strainer baskets in every sink, tub and shower. What does not get into your greywater system will never need to be cleaned out of it. And add nitrogen to your greywater system now and then. One thing lacking in greywater is nitrogen. |
Art Ludwig's Create An Oasis with Greywater $25*
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Our greywater system kits have evolved over the years to meet the needs of any site. Should you wish to "invent" your own, the 145 page revised and greatly expanded fifth edition of Art Ludwig's heavily illustrated book outlines numerous basic greywater recycling systems and serves as an excellent primer for anyone interested in building their own greywater specific septic reuse system. Discussions include greywater filtration, pumps, leach fields, plant selection, soils, and basic plumbing. Click on the picture for a detailed synopsis of the book, excerpts from chapters, and a complete outline of this reference's contents.
Create An Oasis with Greywater
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Building a new home and making plans for greywater diversion or renovating an old septic system? TheNaturalHome.com has years of hands-on experience with all manner of greywater systems, septic tanks, and leach fields. Sign up for one of our system packages and we'll consult on your installation or repair, heading-off critical errors before they happen. Please note that we are not a nationwide engineering firm - we are design consultants and do not supply stamped, engineered plans. If you are required by local building code to present engineered designs and/or soil testing reports, you will also need to retain a local engineering firm. Our terms of service agreement outlines our greywater consultation services, detailing what is being offered here. Please give it a good read so there are no misunderstandings later about our product liability, services, return policy, or warranty.
Greywater recycling kits are $695*
Our passive (non-electric) graywater irrigation reuse kit (greywater "septic" system) makes watering your greenhouse or planterbeds a breeze for only $695* with FREE shipping. Graywater from your home is piped directly to this durable, buried vault where solid debris (lint, hair, and dirt) settles to the bottom and grease floats to the top. Yes, Grease and Fats - some of the most popular "natural" bar soaps are 99% refined chicken fat. That's why you must have a settling tank or the leach field will clog and fail. As greywater flows in, clarified graywater irrigation flows out to the diverter valve where it splits evenly into your two separate leach field pipes. This $695 greywater recycling system includes complete greywater consultation, tank fitting & filter kit, deluxe settling tank, one director valve, and our leach field vent and fitting kit. click here or on picture for the graywater recycling detail page.
click here or on picture
| Our graywater irrigation kit works without any "moving parts". All of the fittings required to install your 26" diameter by 42" tall greywater filter/settling tank are included*: threaded cleanout, inlet and outlet rubber grommets (inlet hole not shown in picture), neoprene gasket, tamper resistant fasteners, "self-cleaning" filter cartridge, handle extension kit, and a free hole saw kit to cut the inlet and outlet holes. Leach field kit includes: 6 atrium style vent grates, 6 tees, 4 sweep 90's, 6 caps, and a couple extra couplers (all 4 inch diameter PVC). Atrium grates in tee fittings promote venting, which is the key to healthy soil and plant roots. Longer sweep 90's in the kit allow for better flow around sharp corners. Caps allow you to stop venting in exceptionally cold climates when winter tree root health dictates. Replacement and/or additional fittings are common four inch diameter sewer pipe available at your local plumbing or building supply store. *The straight (perforated and solid) sewer pipe from house to tank and from tank into leach field you provide. Every graywater system we sell is a complete kit that includes all of the parts you'll need* PLUS our toll-free assistance line for all your questions!
$695 - FREE shipping
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click here or picture above for the greywater recycling system detail page
Greywater disposal kit with drywell $625*
Please note that you don't have to reuse your greywater. If you simply want to dispose of the greywater, we can sell you a passive (non-electric gravity drainage) greywater package (filter basin plus a drywell kit) for $625*. One of the worst things for a septic system is to dispose of washing machine water into the septic tank - soapy bleach water KILLS septic tank bacteria, eventually causing costly problems. Diverting at least the washing machine water to a greywater disposal system will save your septic system from having to be pumped as often and prevent catastrophic failure of leach fields. Every graywater system we sell is a complete kit that includes all of the parts you'll need* PLUS a toll-free assistance line for all your questions! This $625 greywater disposal system includes the all of the tank fittings, filter kit, deluxe settling tank, and complete drywell leach pit kit. click here or on picture for the greywater disposal system detail page
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Our graywater DISPOSAL kit works without any "moving parts". All of the fittings required to install your 26" diameter by 42" tall greywater filter/settling tank are included*: threaded cleanout, inlet and outlet rubber grommets (inlet hole not shown in picture), neoprene gasket, tamper resistant fasteners, "self-cleaning" filter cartridge, handle extension kit, and a free hole saw kit to cut the inlet and outlet holes. We also include one complete drywell leaching pit kit (drywell, tee for inlet lid, surface vent inspection port, and filter fabric) for direct greywater disposal. Replacement and/or additional fittings are common four inch diameter sewer pipe available at your local plumbing or building supply store. *The straight (perforated and solid) sewer pipe from house to tank and from tank into leach field you provide. One complete drywell kit is included with the $625* system - additional kits are available for $159 each (see below). Every graywater system we sell is a complete kit that includes all of the parts you'll need* PLUS our toll-free assistance line for all your questions!
$625 - FREE shipping
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click here or on picture for
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Shown below are alternative drywell installations we can discuss after placing your order. Top loading of effluent (greywater) ensures maximum surge capacity for the drywell. We provide all of the fittings pictured with your kit (one drywell only). Please note the geotextile fabric specified for installation above the gravel layer. This is optional, but very highly recommended to extend the life of your leach field. It helps keep the topsoil out of your gravel layer around the drywell.
Drywells are 24 inches in diameter, 28.75 inches in height (24" without lid) for a 50 gallon surge
Add more than six inches of gravel under and around the drywell(s) for increased leaching capacity
click here or picture above for the greywater disposal system detail page
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Add Extra Drywell Leach Pit Disposal Kits for $159*
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Please note that you don't have to reuse your greywater and sometimes you might need to divert greywater away from your orchard or planterbed. Fruit trees, for instance, benefit from having their root systems go dry for a few days. Click here or on picture below for the greywater disposal system detail page. Our drywells make excellent leaching pits for greywater and full size septic systems alike. Gravel backfill around and under the drywell is not necessary, but will increase the drainage capacity of your leaching pit. One drywell with a foot of gravel under and around it will dispose of 200+ gallons per day in most soils. As with all of our products, we'll work closely with you, providing toll-free consultation during construction! Please note that you should ALWAYS install a settling tank filter basin in-line before your leach field or run the risk of clogging it with grease and fats and filling with solids like hair and laundry lint. You can simply install a drywell, or two, for your washing machine and have direct input. Just keep in mind that all of that lint and grease is going to slowly build up, eventually clogging the drywell.
click here or on any image below for the leach pit installation detail page
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Heavy-duty, recycled, high density polyethylene HDPE plastic leach pit kits come shipped in a handy carrying case ready for on-site assembly.
Drywell kits are 24 inches in diameter, 28.75 inches in height (24" without lid), and weigh 23 pounds apiece.
Knockouts are provided for nine - 4 inch pipes and fifty four - 1.25 inch diameter leaching holes.
Initial surge is 50 gallons, but the capacity is only limited by the size of the leaching pit (dig a larger hole and add more gravel).
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Drywell kit
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3 side panels
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bottom panel
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surface drain
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We keep drywell parts in stock for immediate shipment the next business day
click here or on any picture for drywell installaton details and specifications
Questions? Email natural@colorado.net or call 800-563-9720
- sorry, no shipping to APO/FPO, HI, AK, PR, or Canada -
Here's a sample installation with TWO drywells in series - bringing storm water in through the lid. Venting your leaching pit is most highly recommended. Oxygen keeps the storm water drainage pit dry and the soil around it healthier. Freezing is rarely a problem with running water underground. You can always cap the vents in deep winter, if need be. Top loading (with vent) ensures maximum surge capacity for the drywell. We provide all of the fittings pictured with your kit (san tee, riser, coupler, vent and geotextile fabric). Please note the geotextile fabric is included for installation above the gravel layer. This is necessary to extend the life of your leach field - the fabric keeps topsoil out of your gravel layer around the drywell.
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Heavy-duty, recycled, high density polyethylene HDPE plastic leach pit kits come shipped in a handy carrying case ready for on-site assembly. Drywell kits are 24 inches in diameter, 28.75 inches in height (24" without lid), and weigh 23 pounds apiece. Knockouts are provided for nine - 4 inch pipes and fifty four - 1.25 inch diameter leaching holes. Initial surge is 50 gallons, but the capacity is only limited by the size of the leaching pit (dig a larger hole and add more gravel). Three interlocking side panels, heavy duty lid, FREE sanitary tee fitting for bringing liquid into the lid, FREE coupler, riser, and surface vent grate, FREE geotextile filter fabric to keep soil from entering the gravel layer around your drywell and FREE SHIPPING via UPS Ground to the lower 48 states. |
click here or on image for drywell installation detail page
á la carte greywater recycling system parts
If one of our two complete greywater system kits listed above does not meet your needs, we offer the components individually. Please note that complete system design consultation is not included when ordering only the settling tank, diverter valve, leach field fittings, or filter kit á la carte. Sometimes clients want to use their own tank and other times local code dictates a settling tank larger than the fifty gallon basin we normally package with our system kit. This four inch diameter sewer/drain ("S/D") fitting kit includes: a threaded cleanout, inlet & outlet beveled pipes, SDR35 rubber seal grommets, hole saw kit, inlet tee, outlet tee, three spare couplers, and a sieve filter with handle extension kit (fits both 4" SCH40 AND SDR35 pipe). Designed for single family home sewage disposal systems, this high volume septic filter is easy to install on any new (or retrofit on your existing) septic tank and never needs replacing.
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Greywater tank fitting & filter kit $150*
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Greywater (septic) leach fields & planterbeds fail when poor design allows drain lines (laterals) to clog with sediment "biomat forming". Greatly increase the life expectancy any sewage disposal system with a filter to prevent solids greater than 1/16th of an inch from exiting the tank and clogging your leach field. Our fitting and filter kit can can convert nearly any water tank (barrel, vault, septic, or cistern) into a functional greywater filter basin. Sieve filters extend beneath the scum layer (fats floating on top of tank water), siphoning relatively clear effluent (greywater) from the middle. What flows in, flows out - tank level remains constant with solids, hair, and synthetic fibers sinking to the bottom. External-to-internal flow and sealed, gas-baffled end cap design prevents gas-borne solids (tiny particles) from floating atop gas bubbles and exiting the tank. You will never need to replace this greywater filter - just hose it off once a year, or less if everything seems constant the first year, when you check the general health of your tank. In normal usage, the filter schluffs accumulations of debris operating as nearly "self-cleaning" as possible. Greywater tank fitting & filter kit (all 4" diameter sewer/drain SDR35) includes: a threaded cleanout, inlet & outlet beveled pipes, rubber seal grommets, hole saw kit, inlet tee, outlet tee housing, three spare couplers, and a sieve filter with handle extension kit (fits 4" SCH40 and SDR35 pipe). | 
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Don't need the tank fittings (inlet, cleanout, grommets, hole saw and couplers)?
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Please note the filter housing is ABS plastic, so use a multipurpose glue when attaching to PVC outlet pipe. Always prime all glue joints first, before gluing.
click here or on picture for the greywater sieve filter detail page
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Add our Deluxe Greywater Settling Tank Kit (no filter) for $350*
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Tank shown with filter for illustration only | Nothing beats a nice tank. While larger settling tanks are possible - we do not ship them. Part of the "trick" with tank sizing is to send greywater through the tank daily. Fresh greywater does not go "septic" - nutrients are passed along to the leach field before they have a chance to get stale, decompose, and start to smell with that distintive septic odor. This $350 (includes shipping that costs us about $125 these days) durable, buried vault is just the right size for residential use and has long been a standard part every system we sell. Use as the one and only greywater tank or install in series after a larger greywater settling or septic tank. Solid debris (lint, hair, and dirt) settles to the bottom and grease (fats) float to the top. A priceless tip is to avoid "natural" or otherwise bar soaps, which are 99% refined chicken fat - liquid soaps are advised (avoid bleach and borax for better plant health). Passive (non-electric no moving parts) graywater irrigation (or disposal) watering of greenhouses, orchards, and/or planterbeds is a breeze. As greywater efluent flows in, clarified graywater irrigation flows out; nice and simple like it should be for carefree passive operation. Greywater filter/settling basin kit includes: 26" diameter by 42" tall tank with lid, SDR35 rubber grommets for 4 inch SDR35 inlet and outlet pipes (inlet hole not shown in picture), neoprene lid gasket, and tamper resistant lid fasteners to keep children out of tank. |
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Director Valves split 50/50 or all to one side for $79*
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One of the keys to a quality gravity distribution system is the injection molded PVC flow director. Even distribution is VERY important to plant health in a greywater recycling system, so don't trust old-fashioned distribution boxes ("D Boxes") which are notoriously unreliable. Even a minor amount of settling will drastically affect a D box's even distribution. One of the most common mistakes with graywater irrigation systems is relying upon simple Tees or Double Ells to properly distribute your effluent. Eventual settling & leveling errors as little as 1/8 of inch result in enormous differences in effluent distribution with Tees and Ells (maniflods) and D boxes. Laboratory tests have shown that even at a 1/8 inch tilt, these Flow Director Valves still deliver relatively equal 50/50 flow (+/- 1.3%). New stepped hub design (not shown) allows use of either Sch40 or SDR35 four inch PVC pipe. Director valve kit ships complete with threaded access cap, coupler for riser pipe, and flow adjustment handle. Please note that there is a 2-1/4 inch elevational drop between inlet pipe and outlet pipes on this director valve, so these may not work for a remodel where limited slope is available. Your effluent lines need to drop at least 1/8 inch per foot between tank and leach field.
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The "trick" to successful irrigation with greywater is to design a system that allows you to switch from one leach field (planterbed) to another, thus allowing one field to dry out between watering cycles. This is especially important with fruit trees - they need to have their root systems dry out between waterings. The injection molded PVC diverter valve (flow director) packaged with every $699 recycling kit allows you to split greywater 50/50 or divert all to one side or the other. This unique design allows monitoring (and dosing with fertilizer) of the effluent from grade, but the most important feature of our flow director is that it can be adjusted to either split the flow evenly between the two outlet lines OR alternate the flow to one side or the other.
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Add our Leach Field Vent and Fitting Kit for $100*
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We'll soon be adding a more specific sketch illustrating a basic greywater reuse leach field (or planterbed) using the fittings we provide. A good start on a larger system or plenty enough parts for a standard residential graywater reuse leach field. Until then, click here or on picture below for the greywater recycling system detail page with lots of details and sample sketches of various leach field designs using our kit of common everyday PVC pipe fittings. Atrium grates in tee fittings promote venting, which is the key to healthy soil and plant roots. Longer sweep 90's in the kit allow for better flow around sharp corners. Caps allow you to stop venting in exceptionally cold climates when winter tree root health dictates. Leach field kit includes: 6 atrium style vent grates, 6 tees, 4 sweep 90's, 6 caps, and a couple extra couplers (all 4 inch diameter PVC).
Sun-Mar Home Composter indoor garbage solution
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One of the worst things for your septic tank and leach field (or greywater system) is a garbage disposal. Ground up particles of food don't settle out like the should, often heading straight out to your leach field and clogging its pores. The SunMar Home Composter is a self-contained, high temperature, kitchen waste composting system. It installs nearly anywhere (size of a dishwasher), recycling your organic kitchen waste into a wonderful fertilizer! The SunMar Home Composter is the INDOOR composting solution for your household food waste. No more messy pails and buckets, plus it creates a naturally fertilizing compost tea. click here or on image for Home Composter detail page |
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Hot links to our main website chapters:
|Passive Solar Design|
|Shade Cloth|
|Gas Refrigerators|
|Stainless Steel Appliances|
|Solar Products|
|Septic Systems|
|Composting Toilets|
|Greywater Recycling|
|Drywell Kits|
|Site Map|
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$75* initial design consultation
After reviewing the material, we encourage you to drop us an email with your questions. Whether concerning HTMs specifically or passive solar in general, our initial consultation will address your concerns. |
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$9* DVD only
One hour long video on universal DVD format |
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First half hour walks you through the sustainable design, HTM passive solar earthhome featured on our website. While not a How-To video, the second half does include detailed Infiltrator chamber leach field septic system installation and Sun-Mar composting toilet footage. |
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Phone: 800-563-9720
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