Posting in both forums...

[madeline_con]

Gray water reuse

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=353&topic_id=1892&mesg_id=1892

[crispini]

1. I would look for anything without phosphates

Wiki has some useful stuff:

Greywater from the shower or bath is generally great quality water for the garden. The soap levels at the dilutions typical are actually good for the garden as they are a wetting agent. When laundry greywater is diverted to the garden then the laundry products must be chosen carefully to ensure phosphate and salt levels are low, and the pH balance is neutral. Independent reviews like Lanfax Laboratories provide detailed information on laundry products. Basic guidelines are also available from system suppliers like this guideline from Waterwise Systemsin Australia. It is essential that greywater is diverted to sewer when garden-unfriendly products are being used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater

There are links to the guidelines in the Wiki article. :D

[madeline_con]

3. Thanks! n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. I use my washing machine gray water for irrigation

I use a brand of laundry detergent called ECOS. It's herbal and natural and has a built in soy based softener. It also does a good job, goes a long way and is affordable.

What I stay away from are products which contain sodium, chlorine and boron. If your water is softened it's going to be high in sodium. If you use a powder detergent chances are it has sodium. Chlorine is just a no-no for the obvious reason that it's way too alkaline and is a carcinogen. Borax is also one of the products I no longer use in my laundry since it's cumulative in the soil and takes way to long to break back down. It's important to keep in mind that boron (Borax) is used as a weed killer. Small amounts over what is required by a plant are toxic. Nasty stuff to introduce to your soil in my opinion.

Don't use fabric softeners. If you choose a different laundry detergent than ECOS just use a small bit of vinegar in your laundry. It has the effect of softening clothes and also helps them to rinse cleaner. A small bit of vinegar will not change the PH of the laundry water enough to do any harm to the plants you water. The reality is what you're really going to have to watch out for is your wash water being too alkaline and lowering the PH in soil in the areas you water. Which brings me to my next tip. I've learned that my washing machine water is not appreciated in the least by plants which are acid loving.

Tips:

Use chlorine-free bleaches, such as ones made from hydrogen peroxide.

Don't wash with water that is too hot for your plants. Unless you want them parboiled.

Always keep in mind that while your wash water is going to be more alkaline the rinse will be closer to neutral (or whatever your waters natural PH is) and will help balance things out again.


Off topic a bit. In my next house I build I'm going to do a gray water system where my bath/shower water is recycled to flush my toilets.

[madeline_con]

4. Thanks for the info n/t