Drought Stricken Atlantans Get Conflicting Advice On Gray Water ReUse
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 11.27.07
We've just learned that thirteen US states allow for regulated gray-water re-use; but, Georgia, suffering from a record drought, does not. Or maybe it does - we're not sure. The coverage of this topic is contradictory. (Even scientists in drought stricken Australia seem conflicted about the advisability of of gray water re-use.) No wonder folks in Georgia are resorting to praying for rain.
A University of Georgia scientist says that bath, shower and laundry water is NOT safe for reuse because it might contain bacteria or other contaminants.As the state's historic drought drags on, people are wondering whether they can safely and legally use ``gray water'' on outdoor plants. While 13 states have laws that allow regulated gray water use, Georgia does NOT. U-G-A hydrology professor Todd Rasmussen says that toilet and dishwater -- considered ``black water'' -- is unsafe for human contact and should always be discarded.
Though gray water is less dangerous than black water, it could still contain traces of fecal matter, blood, or other contaminants. And if a person carries an infectious disease, the water could be dangerous for humans to contact on a lawn.
The same guy quoted in an 11ALive Story gets balanced by a little investigative reporting.
“Well, grey water certainly has its place in conserving potable water use inside of a household," said Bryan Wagoner of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. "And it can be a significant amount of water savings, if it's done properly."An average home can realize huge water savings with a grey water system installed by a licensed plumber.
“With proper disinfection and backflow prevention devices," explained the GAWP’s Wagoner. "(It) can save an average household up to 250 gallons a week just by using washing machine and bath water."
And you can still use grey water without a professionally installed system.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division said that collecting grey water this way -- from a shower for instance -- is not likely to be harmful because of contamination or bacteria. The people who are collecting it and using it are the same people who are generating it. Your water is not likely to hurt you.
According to the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, there are no documented cases of illness from a properly installed grey water system. Before installing one in your house, be sure to check with your county health department.
To be safe, if you are collecting grey water and not using it the same day, put in a few drops of bleach. The bleach will kill the germs, the water will be fine for your plants, and you won't have to toss anything out with the bathwater.
So...is it legal in Georgia? Do the rules get set at the County level? (That seems crazy.) Is gray water reuse safe, if properly managed? We still don't know.
Amazing that something this important gets left wide open in the face of a crisis. There must be published epidemiology and best practices descriptions for graywater management. Anyone have a freely down loadable reference or two for us?
Via::Access North Georgia, "Scientist cautions against gray water use as drought drags on" Image credit::Beach Cast, Fecal Coliform
"...the water could be dangerous for humans to contact on a lawn"
But not the pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and gasoline used to create that lawn. Those are safe. So is the dog doo, but not a human fecal fleck. That'll kill ya!
Whoops! The plural is Atlantans, no '
=== authors' response follows ==
Si, Lo bueno.
You know what will kill more than the reuse of gray water? Having no water at all.
Seriously, if the people are eating off of their lawns, they have some serious issues. Grey water is not safe to drink; if used appropriately, it is perfectly safe. Water your plants with it. Wet the soil, not the leaves and fruit, if you're so concerned with contaminating your food. It doesn't take a genius to figure these things out.
In some parts of Florida grey water use is S.O.P. Two lines enter the house, one colored to distinguish grey from clear.
I think this will work its way into the national plumbing code eventually. Better late than never.
"...no case of illness has ever been traced to graywater reuse."
The following quote is from the book, _Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery_, by Dr. Charles J. Kibert, an environmental expert from the University of Florida.
“Graywater. Water from showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and drinking fountains. Graywater may also include condensation pan water from refrigeration equipment and air-conditioners, hot tub drainwater, pond and fountain drainwater, and cistern drainwater. Graywater contains a minimum amount of contamination and can be reused for certain landscape applications. Although the issue is still being debated by public health officials, no case of illness has ever been traced to graywater reuse. Both graywater and blackwater contain pathogens—humans should avoid contact with either—but blackwater is considered a much higher-risk medium for the transmission of waterborne diseases.” Charles J. Kibert, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Powell Center for Construction & Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
I am with Southern Energy Solutions in Marietta, Georgia, near Atlanta. We are dealers of the Brac Greywater Recycling System. It takes in greywater (bath/shower/laundry water), filters and chlorine treats it, then sends it on-demand for toilet flushing. By reuing greywater for toilet flushing, a homeowner can save 30% or more on potable water consumption. The Brac Greywater Recycling System is designed for reusing greywater for toilet flushing; it is not an irrigation system.
Charles Cone
Southern Energy Solutions
http://www.soenso.com