There’s still time to learn
how to use ‘graywater’
for home landscapes

June 10, 2015
Santa Paula News

There’s still time to learn how to use graywater for home landscapes with a series of free workshops offered by Ventura County Building and Safety.

The workshops will show residents from throughout the county how they can use wastewater from their clothes washers — known as graywater — to safely water their landscapes, save money on water costs and help drought stricken California.

Of course when using graywater from clothes washers biodegradable soap must be used.

The workshops are free, and just one example of how important recycling water has become to residents including Santa Paula, which has imposed strict water usage guidelines due to state mandates on water consumption.

Each load of laundry uses approximately 40 gallons of water, a huge resource that otherwise is wasted.

Clothes washers are a wonderful source of water to use on shrubs, plants, flowers and trees although it is not recommended for edibles.

Ventura County Building personnel will teach the free workshops where they teach homeowners how to install the piping and drainage systems needed to divert laundry water to their yards.

With the rush to save water, kits are also coming on the market to convert washing machines to graywater providers.

According to Jim MacDonald, a Ventura County Building Department official, those attending the workshops will learn how to install “a simple, permit-exempt system to capture rainwater for irrigation use. Best of all, homeowners don’t need much more than some valves, piping and good maintenance practices to install the systems.”

Graywater is untreated wash water that has not come into contact with toilet or kitchen waste and includes water from bathtubs, showers and clothes washers.

The Ventura County workshops will use full-scale models for a hands-on demonstration of what the completed system should look like and everyone attending will be given materials to help them with their projects. These include: a parts and materials list, including estimated retail prices; a list of the tools necessary to install a basic laundry graywater system; and details, instructions and guidelines for constructing the basic laundry or rainwater systems.

The workshops will be held in Room 311 in the Hall of Administration at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Avenue in Ventura. Participants should enter off Telephone Road and park in Lot G.

The workshops will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following Thursdays: June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6 and August 20.

Council officials expect more dates will be added.

There is no charge for the workshops. To register, email: marie.becerra@ventura.org, or call (805) 654-2795 during business hours.

There are also numerous online sources: http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Laundry-Greywater-System/ is one and several area water agencies also offer tips for recycling graywater and — if it ever rains again! — rainwater.





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster