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County encourages graywater gardens
By GENEVIEVE BOOKWALTER
Posted: 07/09/2010 01:30:41 AM PDT
FELTON -- Thomas Howard and Tess Cain are foodies with a water conscience.
So the couple, who opened their home for a tour to water officials on Thursday, was one of the first in line for a new irrigation system once California and the county loosened rules earlier this year to allow residents to use laundry, bathroom sink and shower water on the roots of trees, shrubs and other home landscaping.
"We conserve water as much as possible, but we want to have a garden," Howard said.
While root vegetables are not allowed and other edible crops are discouraged in the graywater plot, fruit and other trees are OK. Howard said the couple looks forward to growing heirlooms, cherries, pomegranates, dwarf citrus trees and other thirsty landscaping -- just not the braeburn apples "we can buy at the grocery store."
The couple's opportunity arose after California last January approved new rules, joining Arizona, New Mexico, Montana and other states in allowing residential graywater irrigation systems.
The county quickly encouraged the systems, streamlining construction and plumbing permits, and offering them together for $318 to unincorporated county homeowners. Soquel Creek Water District began offering $75 rebates on connection supplies to district residents.
Those in the county's four cities still must acquire construction and plumbing permits for their jurisdictions, and costs vary depending on location and the system being installed.
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Those costs might seem high now, with treated water starting at $2.36 for 750 gallons in San Lorenzo Valley Water District. The average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water each day.
But Anna Hirst with Ecology Action in Santa Cruz said she expects graywater systems to become economically feasible as increased demand and proposed desalination plants drive up the cost of treated water, especially during droughts or for customers who irrigate heavily.
"When you have a desalination plant, that is when this is going to take off," Hirst said.
While the graywater concept is simple -- use dirty water again by diverting it to the garden -- organizers stress that installing a new irrigation system is not easy.
At Scotts Valley Sprinkler and Pipe Supply, salesman Brock Stephen said customers often stop by hoping to buy a kit to build their own system. The store doesn't carry kits, Stephen said, as each system varies depending on the property and what residents want to plant. Because hard pipes must be buried, a graywater system is not as easy as screwing on a soaker hose or laying drip line. It's also permanent.
"We could steer them," Stephen said, but "it's good to know kind of what you want to do."
In addition, customers must install a valve that lets them divert graywater to the sewer instead of the lawn. Dangerous chemicals, human waste, powder laundry detergent and other substances are not allowed on the landscaping. Owners also must observe setbacks from neighbors property and other rules.
For Howard and Cain, the negotiations are worth it.
"It's a great patch of sun right here," Howard said. "It's a matter of making it more usable."
On the net
Visit www.ecoact.org/Programs/Pollution_Prevention/Graywater/index.htm for more about installing residential graywater irrigation systems.
By GENEVIEVE BOOKWALTER
Posted: 07/09/2010 01:30:41 AM PDT
FELTON -- Thomas Howard and Tess Cain are foodies with a water conscience.
So the couple, who opened their home for a tour to water officials on Thursday, was one of the first in line for a new irrigation system once California and the county loosened rules earlier this year to allow residents to use laundry, bathroom sink and shower water on the roots of trees, shrubs and other home landscaping.
"We conserve water as much as possible, but we want to have a garden," Howard said.
While root vegetables are not allowed and other edible crops are discouraged in the graywater plot, fruit and other trees are OK. Howard said the couple looks forward to growing heirlooms, cherries, pomegranates, dwarf citrus trees and other thirsty landscaping -- just not the braeburn apples "we can buy at the grocery store."
The couple's opportunity arose after California last January approved new rules, joining Arizona, New Mexico, Montana and other states in allowing residential graywater irrigation systems.
The county quickly encouraged the systems, streamlining construction and plumbing permits, and offering them together for $318 to unincorporated county homeowners. Soquel Creek Water District began offering $75 rebates on connection supplies to district residents.
Those in the county's four cities still must acquire construction and plumbing permits for their jurisdictions, and costs vary depending on location and the system being installed.
Advertisement
Those costs might seem high now, with treated water starting at $2.36 for 750 gallons in San Lorenzo Valley Water District. The average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water each day.
But Anna Hirst with Ecology Action in Santa Cruz said she expects graywater systems to become economically feasible as increased demand and proposed desalination plants drive up the cost of treated water, especially during droughts or for customers who irrigate heavily.
"When you have a desalination plant, that is when this is going to take off," Hirst said.
While the graywater concept is simple -- use dirty water again by diverting it to the garden -- organizers stress that installing a new irrigation system is not easy.
At Scotts Valley Sprinkler and Pipe Supply, salesman Brock Stephen said customers often stop by hoping to buy a kit to build their own system. The store doesn't carry kits, Stephen said, as each system varies depending on the property and what residents want to plant. Because hard pipes must be buried, a graywater system is not as easy as screwing on a soaker hose or laying drip line. It's also permanent.
"We could steer them," Stephen said, but "it's good to know kind of what you want to do."
In addition, customers must install a valve that lets them divert graywater to the sewer instead of the lawn. Dangerous chemicals, human waste, powder laundry detergent and other substances are not allowed on the landscaping. Owners also must observe setbacks from neighbors property and other rules.
For Howard and Cain, the negotiations are worth it.
"It's a great patch of sun right here," Howard said. "It's a matter of making it more usable."
On the net
Visit www.ecoact.org/Programs/Pollution_Prevention/Graywater/index.htm for more about installing residential graywater irrigation systems.
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Program Contact
Anna Hirst
Ecology Action
Phone: 831.426.5925 ext. 120
Fax: 831.425.1404
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