Drought? Get Your Greywater On!
As temperatures and water bills rise in California, greywater installations are becoming popular as a way to save water, money and have a positive effect on the environment and groundwater supplies.
Greywater is the water that comes from your kitchen sink, dishwasher, bath, shower and laundry machine. (It’s not blackwater- water that comes from your toilet or from washing diapers that may contain harmful bacteria.) Greywater can be harvested from your kitchen and bathroom and used to water ornamental plants or fruit trees. Your greywater contains nutrients which act as a fertilizer for plants. Using greywater for irrigation keeps valuable water out of the sewage system and keeps the water that you use onsite, saving you money and resources.
How Can You Reuse Greywater?
1.) Easy Bucket Method- Keep a bucket in your shower and use it to capture the water that comes out before your water heater kicks in. Pour this water on your plants! For easy, DIY right now tips on greywater check out Modern Farmer’s blog here.
2.) Pipe Greywater Outside- For basic guidelines, check out GreywaterAction’s website.
3.) Professional Greywater Installation- Have a professional assess your property and set up a system that will work for your irrigation needs. Some of these systems can be quite simple and effective and help you maintain a green landscape during dry times.
Note: Recycling your greywater is an excellent way to ensure that the personal care and laundry products that you use are healthy for you and the planet. Check out rainwater harvesting specialist Brad Lancaster’s website for tips about what kind of soap to use in greywater harvesting.
Great resources for learning more about greywater include: Oasis Designs- Art Ludwig’s website is a treasure trove about water in general and how to save it!
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Rachel Palmer
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Lydia
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.
Great ideas. Many gardners are looking for ways to beat the drought.