Austin Texas Real Estate Blog

The demand is rising for more information about graywater systems – those systems that reclaim and reuse waste water from the bathtub, shower, utility sink and washing machine. (Toilet, dishwasher and kitchen sink waste water contains human or organic waste and is excluded from graywater systems.) Recycling the graywater involves filtering it, sending it to a storage tank, and then either using it to water the landscape or drains it below the surface of the yard where it eventually joins the groundwater.

Installing a graywater system can be difficult: it requires a separate drainage system for the bath, non-kitchen sink and washing machine water, a filter system, a storage tank, and an irrigation system to deliver the water to landscape plants. In addition, there should be a way to reroute the water into the regular septic system or sewer should the need arise.

This reuse of waste water ensures that clean, drinkable water isn’t used on the lawn or plants which don’t really care how it tastes. It reduces the amount of discharge going into the sewer system, taking demand off the treatment plant. A few important issues need to be taken into consideration before installing a graywater system, however.

It may be difficult to procure the permits needed to install a system as local health and safety agencies are understandably wary that graywater may leech into and contaminate drinking water. It’s advisable to use biodegradable laundry detergents for obvious reasons, and avoid chlorine bleach. It’s also probably a good idea to at least consult a professional plumber, if you plan on doing it yourself, as he or she can give you guidance on the proper and safe way to install such a system.