In order to conserve more water by “facilitating
greater use of greywater in California,”
the state may adopt a more lenient greywater code as early as August, the
LA
Times reports. Under a revised code, a clothes washer or other
single-fixture, residential greywater system could be installed or altered
without a construction permit.
Since 1992, the state required
homeowners installing systems that recycle waste water from sinks, showers,
bathtubs and laundry machines conform to Appendix G of the California plumbing
code, which states greywater systems not only be permitted by the appropriate
administrative authority but installed underground with extensive filtering
apparatus.
The update to Appendix G (required by Senate
Bill 1258) passed last summer and was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.
However drought continues to plague California
and representatives from Housing and Community Development submitted the new
code to the state’s Building Standards Commission for emergency adoption. If
approved, as expected, the new code would take effect Aug. 4.
The
new standards divide residential greywater systems into three types: a clothes washer and/or
single-fixture system; a simple system; and a complex system. Clothes washer
systems use only a single washing machine in a one- or two-family dwelling,
while single-fixture systems collect greywater from one plumbing fixture or
drain, also in a one- or two-family home. Both require homeowners to follow 12
guidelines, but neither require permits to install.
Simple
systems are defined as exceeding a clothes washer and or single-fixture system
but discharge less than 250 gallons per day. Complex systems discharge more
than 250 gallons per day. Each require construction permits, unless exempted by
that area’s administrative authority.
Courtesy
of the
LA Times, the 12 guidelines for clothes washer and/or
single-fixture systems are as follows:
1. If required, notification
has been provided to the Enforcing Agency regarding the proposed location and
installation of a greywater irrigation or disposal system.
2.
The design shall allow the user to direct the flow to the irrigation or
disposal field or the building sewer. The direction control of the greywater
shall be clearly labeled and readily accessible to the user.
3.
The installation, change, alteration or repair of the system does not include a
potable water connection or a pump and does not affect other building,
plumbing, electrical or mechanical components, including structural features,
egress, fire-life safety, sanitation, potable water supply piping or
accessibility.
4. The greywater shall be contained on the
site where it is generated.
5. Greywater shall be directed
to and contained within an irrigation or disposal field.
6.
Ponding or runoff is prohibited and shall be considered a nuisance.
7.
Greywater may be released above the ground surface provided at least 2 inches
of mulch, rock, or soil or a solid shield covers the release point. Other
methods which provide equivalent separation are also acceptable.
8.
Greywater systems shall be designed to minimize contact with humans and
domestic pets.
9. Water used to wash diapers or similarly
soiled or infectious garments shall not be used and shall be diverted to the
building sewer.
10. Greywater shall not contain hazardous
chemicals derived from activities such as cleaning car parts, washing greasy or
oily rags, or disposing of waste solutions from home photo labs or similar
hobbyist or home occupational activities.
11. Exemption from
construction permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant
authorization for any greywater system to be installed in a manner that
violates other provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of the
Enforcing Agency.
12. An operation and maintenance manual
shall be provided. Directions shall indicate the manual is to remain with the
building throughout the life of the system and indicate that upon change of
ownership or occupancy, the new owner or tenant shall be notified the structure
contains a greywater system.
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