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California's been in a drought pretty much since I moved here (two and a half years ago). I'm not sure when it officially started, but I don't remember living here and NOT being in a drought. So why is it that the state makes it difficult to install greywater systems? You'd think they'd be promoting them like crazy!
Greywater is slightly used water - water from sinks and showers, for example. The water you flush down your toilet is blackwater. And it makes perfect sense that you want really clean water to wash your hands or shower in, but after you've used it for that, once it's slightly dirty but not totally disgusting, perhaps you could use it again? For example, the used water from your sink could go to your toilet. Do you really need perfectly clean water to pee in? Yet, thus far, there were some roadblocks in the way for Californians who were interested in greywater systems.
Fortunately, that is changing. California has new statewide greywater regulations, starting August 4. Previously it was legal but required a permit. Now the permit is no longer required, although you are supposed to follow certain rules. But assuming you do that, you can now divert shower and washing machine drains to water your yard or garden. I'm kind of cringing at the idea of laundry detergent and shampoo going into everyone's yards, but the "experts" in charge recommend certain brands of supposedly eco-friendy detergent that make it OK. So let's hope this is a step forward for California.
Now if only we had some kind of incentives to use greywater from sinks to flush toilets...
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