A question about using "gray" water for gardens.

[murray hill farm]

If this is the plan, what are the requirements to keep the water non toxic for plants? What soap can be used for bathing, cleaning, etc. that will be OK when the water is later used in the garden. I presently make my own soap, using the old time recipe....and am wondering if I should consider modifying the recipe...or are their soaps and cleaners that can be purchased that are safe to use? Thanks for any info. Pat

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

1. HI mexicoxpat, I found this site, it has a lot of info about recycling gray water.

http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/plant_culture/gray_water_for_gardens.html

Recycling Gray Water for Home Gardens
First, what is gray water?
How much gray water can be used in the home garden?
What about soaps and detergents? Are they harmful to the soil and plants?
What precautions can I take to protect the soil from damage when I use gray water over a long period of time?
Is there any danger of spreading disease by using gray water in the garden?
How should I apply gray water to the soil?
How can I get gray water from the house to the garden?

[murray hill farm]

2. Thanks, that was helpful.

I had searched some myself, but did not find anything that clear. One of the things that it did say was that high ph in the soil was an indication of high sodium content (not good for plants). When I make my own soap, I use regular lye, which does cause the soap to be higher in ph than most soaps..even though it does lower with time..and I think I could adjust it some for a lower starter ph. I guess I need to learn more about the chem composition of the lye, as to if it breaks down to sodium in the soap making process. on a side note, one of the things I cleaned from my earlier soap search was that Dove soap has a ph that is neutral..kind of a surprise find...ha!
I plan to move to a very rural area in the very western part of Arkansas...and would like to become as self sufficient as possible..for me, anyway. I have a well on the property..and plan to build a very small home to live in sometime in the spring of 09. I presently have an outhouse on the property...and am now of the thought that I just never will put in any kind of septic system and will use the outhouse until I can put in a composting toilet. I will, however put in a shower, a laundry with washing machine...and a kitchen. It is my hope to use this gray water, at least to some degree to cut down on water for the garden. Anyway, I will keep adding to this thread as I get more information on the gray water question. Thanks, again.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

3. Welcome to Arkansas!

:hi:
We live near Hope, and we are on our second well... First one is too shallow, I can still drop a bucket in it an use the water if needed, of course it will need to be boiled for cooking & bathing. Plus it is also too Acidic.

We replaces it about 15 years ago (about 600 ft deep)and it is a lot better, but it has alkaline in it...fine if you like dark coffee and tea... other than that it taste pretty good.

I water the garden with the new well ( has electric pump) and some day I would like to tap in and use the older well. If it was closer to the garden, I probably have done it by now.




BTW: When I was a kid, my dad did what you are doing, living off the land. He never messed with the waste water for the garden. I was young and that was ALONG time ago!