Graywater in Santa Cruz

Probably few people can deliver a perky introduction to the subject of graywater and residential codes, but Sherry Lee Byran pulled it off last night at Ecology Action's September Green Drinks.

Officially, Ms. Bryan is Senior Program Specialist, Pollution Prevention/Zero Waste Group at Ecology Action.   Last night she explained that, with a 3rd year of drought and a snow pack 39% below normal this past spring, California had the impetus to revise and approve a graywater residential code in just 6 months and put it into effect August 4.  (It may be revised.)

What does this mean for us?  A more sustainable and efficient way to water our gardens and foilage.

Graywater, by California's legal definition, explained Bryan is everything but blackwater (toilet) and not dishwater water, i.e. laundry, bathroom sink, showers are all fine.   (Dishwater is barred because it can contain fats and animal products. )

For single source applications (i.e only laudry or only shower water ), residences may use graywater for plants by labeling the line and being sure it enters the ground 100 feet from the house (avoid backflow) and 2 inches deep .   That's just about it:  No Permit required!  Bryan stressed, in her entertaining way, not to use boron soaps, no salts, no bleach (toxic to plants), or bloody shirts and keep the water away from root crops like carrots.  The law requires that graywater and storm water never mix.

For irrigation, drip-irrigation or more complex systems, Bryan encouraged using a professional and that a permit is required.  (Currently the County is deciding how to award permits:  start with Environmental Health)

The code is here.

And before anyone time to reach for another beer  (or nod off), she finished.   Good job and good job for California for taking an important step toward efficiency and sustainability.  But now it is up to us.


More Links:
Sherry Lee Bryan


Graywater Research & Advocacy
http://www.greywateralliance.org

Green Drinks
www.greendrinks.org


Graywater Research & Advocacy
http://www.greywateralliance.org

Planting for Thanksgiving with CASFS; Green Drinks, Greywater

Farming:

At the UCSC Farm this Saturday, August 30 10am - 1pm, there will be workshop about fall planting:  "Planting for Thanksgiving."   This is run under the umbrella of CASFS ("The Center" - Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UCSC)

CASFS has a "friends" program for community members who want to learn how to be better "stewards of the soil."

Green Drinks, Greywater(now legal)
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From Ecology Action:
This month's Green Drinks will showcase grey water and
rainwater catchment systems. Ecology Action¹s Sherry Bryan will be
discussing the latest political developments in residential grey water
regulations within the Monterey Bay area and all of California. In addition,
local businesses will be in attendance to assist with questions on how to
create these systems, and homeowners will offer firsthand advice on living
with these systems.

Join the discussion

Location: Cypress Lounge, 120 Union St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 2, 5:30pm-7:30pm

This event is free

Appetizers will be provided by Ecology Action