If you’re looking to build an organic garden, one of the best things you can do is to create a greywater system. This sustainable system can help reduce your water use, save you money on water bills, and nourish your garden with nutrient-rich wastewater. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of building a greywater system for organic gardening.
Understanding Greywater and its Benefits
Greywater is water that has been used for washing purposes, such as laundry, handwashing, showering, and bathing, and has not come into contact with feces. The average American uses 88 gallons of water per day, with nearly one-third of residential water use going to landscape irrigation. Inefficient irrigation systems waste as much as 50% of water used for irrigation, which means billions of gallons of clean, fresh water are wasted every day. A DIY greywater system redirects greywater from going into the sewer system to being used for irrigation. Greywater can contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products, but when used properly, it is safe and even beneficial for plants.
1. The Components Needed for a DIY Greywater System
DIY greywater system requires specific components to function properly. The first component needed is a source of greywater, which is usually collected from showers, sinks, and baths. The second component is a biofilter, which is essential for pretreatment. A biofilter is made from organic materials such as mulch or straw and helps to absorb oils and grease from the greywater before it goes through a filtration process. Next, a filter is used to remove any remaining contaminants, and then the greywater can be stored in a tank or directly irrigated into the garden. Finally, an irrigation system is needed to distribute the greywater to the plants. Choosing eco-friendly products for your household cleaning needs is also essential to ensure the safety of your plants when using greywater for irrigation.
2. How Greywater Systems Work: Pretreatment and Filtration
Pretreatment is an important step to prevent the filter from clogging due to grease and oils. To achieve pretreatment, a biofilter made from organic material such as straw or mulch can be used. Once greywater enters the filter, the organic material will absorb the grease and oils, allowing the water to drain into the filter. The filtration stage removes impurities such as lint and hair from the greywater before being stored and sent to the outlet/irrigation. It’s crucial to filter the greywater to avoid harming plants and soil. However, filtered greywater is not potable and shouldn’t be consumed by animals.
3. Using Greywater Safely for Plants and Vegetables
When building a greywater system for organic gardening, choosing plant-friendly products is essential. Greywater comes from sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines and may contain dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain cleaning products. While greywater may look dirty, it’s a safe and beneficial source of irrigation water in a yard. It is important to only use plant-friendly products in your home if you plan on using greywater for your garden. When choosing cleaning products and personal care items, look for products that are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Additionally, avoid using bleach, anti-bacterial soaps, and products that contain boron. Salt and boron build-ups in the soil can damage plants. An easy way to use greywater is piping it directly outside and using it to water ornamental plants or fruit trees. Reusing greywater for irrigation not only saves water and money but also keeps it out of the sewer system and reduces the chance of polluting water bodies. By taking these precautions and using greywater-safe products, you can safely and effectively use greywater to nourish your plants and vegetables.
4. Reusing Greywater for Organic Gardening
Reusing greywater for organic gardening has numerous benefits. Greywater is a safe and beneficial source of irrigation water in yards as long as it doesn’t contain feces or harmful chemicals. By utilizing greywater, you can save water, reduce your water bill, and prevent pollution in local water bodies. Greywater can be used to water ornamental plants, fruit trees, and even non-edible parts of vegetable plants. However, it is important to only use plant-friendly products to avoid damage to the soil and plants.
