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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.
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Here's several classic greywater system design mistakes to avoid:
And add nitrogen to your greywater reuse system now and then
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Building a new home or renovating an existing septic system? We have many years of hands-on experience with all manner of greywater systems, septic tanks and leach fields. Sign up for one of our two greywater system packages and we'll consult on your design to head-off critical errors before they happen. Please note that we are consultants only and do not offer any stamped, engineered plans. If you are required by local building code to present engineered designs and/or soil testing reports, you must also retain a local engineering firm. Our Terms of Service Agreement details greywater consultation services. Please give it a good read so there are no misunderstandings about product liability, services, returns or warranty.
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Greywater Recycling Kits are $795* Our passive (non-electric) graywater irrigation reuse kit makes watering your greenhouse or planterbeds a breeze for only $795* with FREE shipping and consultation. And there are no moving parts to break. 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. As household greywater flows in, clarified graywater irrigation flows out to the director valve, where it splits 50/50 or all to one leach field. All of the fittings required to install your greywater filtering 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 fittings are all standard four inch diameter: 4 atrium style vent grates, 6 tees, 4 90's, 6 caps, and a three extra couplers. click here or picture for the greywater Recycling System detail page
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Greywater Disposal Kit with drywell $695* Please note that you don't have to reuse your greywater. If you simply want to dispose of the greywater, you can buy our passive (non-electric gravity drainage) greywater disposal package for $695* with FREE shipping and consultation. One of the worst things for a septic system is to dispose of washing machine water into the septic tank. Even super-mild all-natural bio-degradable soapy water KILLS bacteria. And bacteria is what drives healthy septic system digestion of waste. 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 toll-free assistance! This $695 greywater disposal system includes the deluxe settling tank, tank fittings and filter kit, and one complete drywell leach pit kit. click here or picture for the greywater Disposal System detail page
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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.
Even with a greywater reuse system, you sometimes you might need to divert greywater away from your orchard or planterbed for simple disposal. Fruit trees, for instance, benefit from having their root systems go dry for a few days. 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 and longevity 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 first drywell the unfiltered greywater spills into. That is why you have to install at least two drywells in series when not installing a filter basin settling tank (complete systems shown above).
Here's a sample installation with TWO drywells in series - bringing greywater in through the lid (at Sanitary "San" Tee fitting). The first drywell acts as a sediment catch basin, providing more clarified greywater to the next leach pit in series. Venting your leaching pit system is most highly recommended and also provides a handy 4 inch diameter pipe inspection/cleaning port. Oxygen keeps the greywater drainage pit dry and the soil around it much healthier. Freezing is rarely a problem with running water underground. You can always cap the vents in deep winter if need be, but eliminating the vent altogether is a classic design error.. 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.
click here or on image for drywell installation detail page
gravel-less Drywell Kits $169* delivered complete with installation kit
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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Greywater Settling Tank Kit (no filter) for $400*
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12 inch Riser Extension for Settling Tank is $95*
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Tank shown with filter for illustration only | Nothing beats a nice tank. This $400 heavy duty tank is specially made for the purpose and includes shipping, which runs us about $150 these days. While larger settling tanks are possible, you really do not need them. Part of the trick with tank sizing is to send fresh greywater through daily and it 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 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). As greywater effluent flows in, clarified graywater irrigation flows out. Nice and simple like it should be for carefree passive non-electric operation. Greywater 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. |
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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). 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. | 
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This 10 piece hole saw kit is included for free with our tank fitting and filter kit above for $150*. Every installation tends to be unique; this free hole saw kit allows you to put the inlet, outlet, and inspection holes right where you need them. A nice touch that we continue to include for no extra charge with every tank fitting and filter kit. Trying to cut a round hole by hand or with a jigsaw can be a challenge, at best. |
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Don't need the tank fittings (inlet, cleanout, grommets, hole saw and couplers)?
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Filter housing is black ABS plastic. Use multi-plastic cement when attaching to white/grey/green PVC.
Always prime all pipe joints first, before "solvent welding" with cement.
click here or on picture for the greywater sieve filter detail page
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Director Valves split 50/50 or all to one side are $75*
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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 $695 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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Greywater Leach Field Vent & Fittings Kit is $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. Caps allow you to stop venting in exceptionally cold climates when winter tree root health dictates and to cap/plug the end of dead-end leach lines. Leach field kit includes: 4 atrium style vent grates, 6 tees, 4 90's, 6 caps, and a three extra couplers (all 4 inch diameter PVC).
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Need a pump for the system too? If your leach field or planterbed is uphill from the settling tank (filter basin), you will need a sump basin (tank with automatic pump) in-line directly after filter basin. When burying the sump basin (lift station) outside your home, it is always best to install one of the settling basins shown above. When you are able to plumb the lift station (sump basin) inside the home, you can use a sump basin kit. Shown at right are two common sizes of sump basin kit with the pump at middle front in picture. We do not advertise sump pump and sump basin kit pricing on this website since they are truly best purchased locally. Plus, pumps must be sized correctly for the system and site needs, so they are something best left for last in any greywater system design. |
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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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