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What kind of problems (and solutions) have you run into in managing a grey water system for your house? (i.e., makeup water excesses, clogging, bacteria, odor)

Has anyone had a negative experience in using grey water for your vegetable garden?

I’m not looking for grey water links – I’m looking for personal stories, solutions.

2007-10-28 03:17:40 · 2 answers · asked by Thomas K 4 in Home & Garden Other - Home & Garden

Any concerns over fecal coliform in garden irrigation or lawn watering by using shower/bath water? I'd be interested in any empirical data you might have generated

2007-10-28 03:48:28 · update #1

2 answers

Generally speaking, if I keep a good bacterial growth in the septic tank, I'll have no problems with grey water. The drain field seems to handle it with few to no problems. It empties into a horse pasture and the drain field area is always greener and lusher than any other area of the pasture. It does have the same effect on trees, though; so care needs to be taken in planting trees with invasive root systems near a drain field area.
I've used grey water from my camper to water a veg garden and plants in the greenhouse and have never had any problems with it. The amounts of coliform bacteria should be very limited since there is such a high level of various "soaps" in grey water. My concern would be if the grey water sat in a tank for more than a day or two. It can, like black water, get rather...malodorous. I don't think I'd be concerned about the types of bacteria so much as the unpleasantness of working with it.
I have heard of people treating their grey water with various chemicals, like chlorine, before garden use; but that seems to defeat the purpose.

I had a neighbor a few years ago who moved from the city to a more rural setting and treated his septic system with such disrespect! He flushed huge amounts of cooking grease, daily, into his system, and had to have nearly the whole thing excavated and cleaned. Lesson learned. Or so we thought. Not long after, he concreted in fence posts over his drain field and couldn't understand why the holes seemed to "drink up" the concrete. Imbecile. After spending a few thousand to get the system replaced, he became obsessive about his drain field and wouldn't even drive the lawn mower over it. He mowed that portion of his property with a weed eater.

2007-10-28 05:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by lfh1213 7 · 0 0

Many people use grey water for their gardens. I can see the benefits except for dishwater. It can/does contain food which can cause a smell. Most people I know of use water from their washing machines and bathroom sinks and tubs.

2007-10-28 10:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0 0

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