You may be asking yourself what exactly is a "gray-water" system? It's simply a plumbing system that you install in your home to reroute all the water you use for your shower, laundry, sinks, etc. to the landscaping outside.
What normally happens in traditional plumbing systems, water is used and drained into the sewer system for recycling. Now, normally this isn't a bad thing, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency, this type of water accounts for 54% of an entire household's use. That's an astounding amount of water that can be used for the benefit of everything green outside the house. As an added bonus, you're saving money on your water bill by cutting out the extra you spend watering your lawn. At the end of the day, you're already accustomed to showers (I hope!), laundry, washing dishes and the like - so why not use that water for something that will benefit us all as a whole? Some installation services even claim that you can save as much as 30-40% on your monthly water bill using this system! It's a win-win!
Normally, installing a gray-water system will require the administrative headache by apply for and receiving the appropriate permits (as with anything in extreme home improvements). I live in California, and being the green-friendly state that it is, approved legislation to allow homeowners to install these systems without all the permits and associated red tape.
Gray-water systems are a viable option in an effort to go green and live an environment friendly lifestyle. The average cost of these systems are initially steep -- after all, you're making a significant change but the kits themselves can range from $600 and up. However, unless you're an avid DIY you will have to hire a company to install the kit for you. Those prices can vary depending on who you go with and is outside the scope of this article. However, after an initial investment, you could look towards reducing your water bill significantly, and helping out the environment all at the same time!
Until next time: Stay Green!
