How to Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill By Installing a Graywater System

What is a Graywater System?

A graywater system collects and reuses water from household uses like showers, sinks, and washing machines to irrigate landscapes. The water collected from these uses is considered "graywater", as opposed to "blackwater" from toilets which contains sewage and requires special treatment.

Graywater contains minimal amounts of dirt, food, grease, and certain household chemicals. With proper treatment and usage, graywater provides an excellent source of irrigation for lawns, gardens, and trees.

Installing a graywater system allows households to reuse water that would otherwise go down the drain. This saves thousands of gallons per year, reducing monthly water and sewer bills. Graywater systems are legal in most states and provide an eco-friendly way to lower your environmental impact.

How Does a Graywater System Work?

A basic graywater system has three main components:

• Collection - Drains are routed from graywater sources like showers and washing machines into a collection tank instead of the main sewer line. Filters remove solids like hair and lint.

• Treatment - The water is treated as needed through processes like aerating, settling, and adding small amounts of chlorine. This kills bacteria and allows safe irrigation usage.

• Distribution - Treated graywater is pumped from the tank through an irrigation system to water landscaping. Subsurface drip irrigation lines are often used to avoid pooling.

More complex systems may have additional filtration, disinfection, pumps, and controls. But the basic process remains collecting, treating, and reusing graywater for irrigation purposes.

What Are the Benefits of Installing a Graywater System?

Installing a graywater system in your home provides many benefits:

• Saves money - Reusing graywater reduces water and sewer bills by 10-30%. Thousands of gallons per year can be reused instead of sent down the drain.

• Conserves water - Graywater systems significantly reduce household water usage, saving this limited resource.

• Nutrients for plants - Graywater contains small amounts of organic matter, like food and soap residues, that act as mild fertilizer for vegetation.

• Eco-friendly - Reusing household water decreases environmental impact. Less freshwater is extracted and less sewage is sent for energy-intensive treatment.

• Drought resistant - Having an alternate irrigation source makes landscaping drought tolerant regardless of water restrictions.

• Easy to install -Graywater systems are simple, low-tech installations that can often use existing plumbing and irrigation. Permits are usually easy to obtain.

What Are the Steps to Install a Graywater System?

Installing a legal, permitted graywater system for your home involves several key steps:

Research State and Local Codes

• Regulations for graywater vary significantly between different states, counties, and cities. Research what is allowed and required for permits in your jurisdiction. This will impact the specifics of your system.

Choose a Collection System

• Determine the best water sources to collect from like certain showers, sinks or the washing machine. Choose drainage piping that routes graywater to the storage tank.

Install a Filtration System

• Filters remove solids from the graywater so only clear liquid enters the storage tank. Usually a filter bag, cartridge filter, or settling tank are used.

Set Up a Storage Tank

• This tank temporarily holds the filtered graywater. Size it based on graywater volumes and irrigation needs. Using an existing rain barrel works well.

Include Disinfection

• Adding a small chlorine tablet or hydrogen peroxide to the storage tank prevents bacterial growth. Choose plant-safe disinfectants.

Distribute Through Irrigation

• Use gravity or a small pump to send water from the tank through drip irrigation lines or other methods to water plants.

Get System Permitted

• File permit applications with the local building department. An inspector will review your plans and installed system before use.

Following the appropriate guidelines and getting professional help when needed ensures your system works safely and effectively.

What Are the Costs Associated with a Graywater System?

Installing a graywater system requires an initial investment that pays back over time through lower utility bills:

• Permits - $50 to $500 depending on local codes and inspections required.

• Collection piping - $200 to $1000 depending on rerouting complexity and materials.

• Storage tank - $50 to $300 for a 50-200 gallon container. A used rain barrel can save costs.

• Filter - $50 to $150 for filter bag, cartridge, or settling tank.

• Disinfection - $50 for an initial supply of chlorine tablets or hydrogen peroxide.

• Distribution materials - $100 to $500 for piping, valves, and drip irrigation lines.

• Professional installation - $1000 to $5000 for system design and labor if desired. Most homeowners install systems themselves.

With professional installation, the total upfront cost often ranges from $1500 to $7000. But with simple DIY systems, costs can be under $1000. Through lowered utility bills, graywater systems typically pay for themselves in 2-7 years.

What Are Some Tips for Using a Graywater System Effectively?

To maximize benefits from a graywater system, keep these tips in mind:

• Only collect graywater from plant-safe, eco-friendly soaps and detergents to avoid contamination.

• Routinely check and clean filters to keep the system running smoothly.

• Add disinfectant on a consistent schedule to control bacteria.

• Periodically test irrigation water to ensure proper treatment.

• Adjust irrigation rates to fully use stored graywater without oversaturating soil.

• Rotate irrigation across different plant areas and take dry periods to prevent buildups.

• Inspect and repair any leaky parts of the system as soon as possible.

• Keep detailed records of system additions and maintenance.

Following best practices ensures your graywater system sustainably provides ecological and economic benefits for your household.

Conclusion

Installing a properly permitted graywater system requires an initial investment but can significantly lower monthly water and sewer bills through reuse. These eco-friendly systems treat and redistribute graywater from sinks, showers, and laundry to irrigate landscapes. With appropriate guidelines followed, households can conserve water, save money, and reduce their environmental impact through harnessing the potential of graywater. Careful system maintenance and usage keeps treatment effective and prevents contamination. Starting graywater collection is a great way to sustainably shrink your utility costs and overall water footprint.