Gray water to water our gardens?

[farmerbrie]

Gray water is water from household use...I still have second thoughts about using gray water for my veggies and houseplants.

What do you think?

[vermigiant]

Are you serious? In Virginia it is illegal to use untreated gray water for irrigation.

[wrigglerman]

If you must reuse kitchen waste water for your plants, don't reuse waste water that contains grease, harsh cleaners, ammonia, bleach, softeners or non-biodegradable detergents.

[Luna]

I'd rather not use that water for anything. I do keep the water I use to wash vegetables with, but anything that has been mixed with any chemical or grease, I just throw away. I can't think of any thing that it would be of good use for.

[Edward12]

Apply gray water to the soil, not to plant leaves.

If you opt to recycle water from the bathtub or washing machine, use only mild, biodegradable soaps. Don't use softener sand bleaches. Allow wash and rinse water to mix, if possible, to dilute the soap content. Never use a borax-containing product (such as washing soda) in water to be used on a garden because of the danger of applying toxic levels of boron.

[farmerbrie]

Originally Posted by Edward12

Apply gray water to the soil, not to plant leaves.

Perhaps I'll follow your lead there Edward. But I ain't gonna use water for my veggies just for other plants.

Thanks

[starcandy]

Originally Posted by Edward12

Apply gray water to the soil, not to plant leaves.

If you opt to recycle water from the bathtub or washing machine, use only mild, biodegradable soaps. Don't use softener sand bleaches. Allow wash and rinse water to mix, if possible, to dilute the soap content. Never use a borax-containing product (such as washing soda) in water to be used on a garden because of the danger of applying toxic levels of boron.

Thanks for the tip there Edward. I've seen some people in my neighborhood use gray water to clean up their walkways and such, but not for watering plants. I don't think I'd want that to ouch my plants, edible or otherwise, but if I find myself in that situation, at least I'll know what to do.

[fireflies]

Well, for me I’d rather play safe for my plants, any plants at home I think don’t deserve gray water. Though some cleaning agents contain some phosphorus and nitrogen, it may also have other chemicals that might do harm for my plants. I’d rather be careful.

[dandelion]

Me too, I have no faith in using gray water for my plants, especially for my veggies. I cant’ imagine pouring gray water for my tomatoes, carrots, onions and potatoes…Oh, maybe the only gray water I’ll use is the one that I used for washing off excess soil from my potatoes and carrots..

[amber]

How about aquarium water and water collected from air-conditioning units? Are they considered as gray water? I think they are safe for plants..

[farmerbrie]

I'm not really sure with that especially from the AC. Might get freon and other refrigerants in there and that is poisonous.

[honeylemon]

Hey guys, check this out. A guy made a project of using water from AC unit to water his garden.
Self Watering Garden - Using recycled water from an air conditioner

[Edward12]

Is gray water different from black water?

I got a hose running from my AC direct to the plants near it. I had to bury the hose to be sure my dogs won't have any access to the AC water since refrigerants may be present and these are highly toxic to the dogs.

[Luna]

Originally Posted by honeylemon

Hey guys, check this out. A guy made a project of using water from AC unit to water his garden.
Self Watering Garden - Using recycled water from an air conditioner

That's an interesting system! Hmm, if the AC water isn't harmful, then it could be used by a lot of houses to really save up on water.

[John S.]

Black water is any water run through the toilet. It is not advisable to use this for watering veggies because of the possibility of contamination from fecal organisms.

[wrigglerman]

If you use only mild, biodegradable soaps, then you can use water from your washing machine or bath tub.

It's better to mix the wash and rinse water to dilute the soap content.

If you used softeners or bleaches, that water may be too strong for your plants.

If you use washing soda don't utilize the water for the garden because of the danger of applying toxic levels of boron.

[sakura]

I try not to use gray water on any plant that'll bear fruit that I know I'll be eating. As much as possible I'd like to use fresh water for the crops. Gray water, well, I used to water some of the houseplants with it, and so far I haven't seen any adverse side effects, but nowadays, I decide to use the water for cleaning my tools and other equipment.

[fleurdelys]

Here's some guidelines for using graywater:

- if you're going to use water from baths, showers or washing machines, use the ones only from the final rinse (less soap and chemicals)
- rotate the areas you water. Don't use graywater on one part of the garden all the time.
- Wash your hands after using graywater
- Don't use graywater on wet/rainy seasons
- Stop graywater use if they start to smell or your plants don't appear healthy
- Try not to use graywater on vegetables, but if you do need to, don't use it on crops that will be eaten raw or uncooked
- Don't use graywater that has faecal contamination
- Don't store greywater for more than 24 hours

Most communities, cities, towns etc. have their own rules, regulations and guidelines on graywater use. You may want to consult with them before using it.

[arianne]

I found some really interesting reads about using graywater. I hope they can help you Some of them are from other countries, but I'm sure the basics of it is the same the world all over.

Gardening Australia - Fact Sheet: Grey Water
Guidelines for Using Greywater
Safe Use of Household Greywater
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/ww/GreywaterFact.PDF
Common Greywater Mistakes and Preferred Practices

[krissy]

Originally Posted by Edward12

Is gray water different from black water?

Black water? I gather that is water from the toilet. There are state regulations regarding its use. I think it has to undergo processing in a sewage treatment facility before it is rendered safe to be used for irrigation but not for drinking water

[fleurdelys]

Here's a family in Australia who has a blackwater recycling system. I think it's brilliant. I'd love it implement it if it'll truly help with conserving water.

Blackwater recycling systems

[george]

I'm a little bit leery of blackwater recycling - there are a lot of pathogens that a home system would have trouble sanitizing properly.

But, I don't understand why greywater recycling isn't widespread. Dishwater, bath water, and rinse water from the kitchen are all great for plants, as long as you're using biodegradable soap and green detergents.

[Luna]

^ I think when it comes to recycling black water, there's a more complicated process that it needs to go through to be effectively used. And even so, I wouldn't recommend it on anything that will be digested.

I would definitely go for recycling graywater first, and if it has to undergo some sort of treatment, I guess it'll be more faster and efficient than the process blackwater must go through.

[farmerbrie]

Between black and gray water, I'd opt for gray water anytime.

I guess recycling of gray water is not as widespread because no one has thought of it as being important or essential.