Greywater or Gray water systems as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites

GREYWATER SYSTEMS - Definition of graywater or "greywater"
Graywater systems as components of alternative septic design
Graywater system products & designs - what is "greywater" and how is greywater salvaged for use in watering lawns, gardens, or for purification as drinking water?
How to install & use graywater systems to conserve water or relieve septic system loading: using a greywater distribution or greywater diversion system
Comparison of sources of water for household or garden use besides wells or municipal water supply: rainwater collection, water condensation systems.
Questions & answers about greywater systems
References

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This article defines and explains the disposition of greywater, a type of wastewater. Greywater is wastewater which does not contain sewage, typically coming from building sinks, showers, and laundry facilities. Graywater systems can reduce the load on or size of a septic system, and gray water separation, filtration, storage, and piping systems can conserve water, for recycling for various uses such as flushing toilets, landscaping, or irrigation. This article describes alternative graywater systems and designs, lists gray water (or grey water) products and suppliers, and compares products, models, and features.

What is Greywater or Graywater and What is Blackwater?

In addition to explaining graywater systems we list and compare other sources of water for use on lawns, gardens, orchards, or for purification as drinking water. We also include links to greywater system references and books. Shown here is a clean design for onsite greywater disposal using a sketch from Clivus Multrum (see links below).

Other greywater systems include incineration and alternative greywater disposal methods. The EcoJohn Jr. shown below at our list of product sources uses a low-flush toilet (not a waterless toilet). This particular toilet is an incinerating unit not a composting toilet. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author.

People who want to construct a greywater system should also see the greywater design books listed below at References. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at References.

Definition of Greywater or Graywater: greywater is defined as the liquid wastewater from buildings that excludes septage, that is toilets. So water from a laundry, sink, bathtub, or even a shower all are considered graywater waste.

Definition of Blackwater: blackwater is defined as building wastewater that includes sewage (waste from toilets). Note that if your building drains mix water from sinks, bathtubs, showers, etc. into a common drain with toilet waste (sewage, fecal waste), then all of that water becomes "blackwater" as it leaves the building.

Definition of Greywater Systems: "Greywater Septic Systems" refer to onsite wastewater systems which reduce the liquid effluent load on a septic system by separating greywater (or graywater) from sinks and showers from blackwater (black water from toilets.

When we inspect a home which uses a separate drywell to handle greywater we presume that the owners discovered that their septic system, or at least its leach field, was of limited capacity or life.

Gray water systems may also be used to conserve and recycle water in areas of limited water supply. The graywater filter basin and graywater filter shown above are discussed at FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER

Gray water is usually water from building drains other than toilets, such as water from a laundry system, sink, or shower, and effluent from sump pumps. Other site gray water (or greywater) which is sometimes preserved and used at a building includes rainwater or roof runoff. Some writers include groundwater in the greywater category. I disagree, though greywater disposal systems may benefit the environment by replenishing groundwater.

Greywater does not contain human waste products. Therefore when it is disposed-of on-site, it does not need to be treated to the same extent as is required for sewage or "black water". In fact, soil filtration and soil biomat treatment of greywater can produce very clean water for ultimate discharge into the environment. Therefore building code requirements for on-site disposal of grey water are less strict. However in most jurisdictions it is illegal to simply dispose of greywater by dumping it on the ground surface. Some treatment and filtering such as that provided by a drywell will be required.

For building sites where there is limited space for septic "black water" disposal and treatment, one can install piping and equipment separate the gray water from black water (human waste) - a step which reduces the needed size of the septic system. (Space will still be needed for graywater handling).

A second reason that some property owners install graywater handling systems is a shortage of potable water or the need to conserve and recycle water for re-use. In dry areas where there are limitations on the water supply, filtering and treating graywater can permit its use for watering lawns or crops as well as for flushing toilets. This approach serves two goals, both disposing of onsite graywater and supplying water for crops or shrubs.

A typical graywater system can save 50 to 100 gallons of water a day, or even more, depending on the level and types of water usage in a building. Even homes connected to a municipal water supply benefit from a gray water system as by recycling water for re-use the building owners save on their water bill.

The following sample greywater system specification is from: New York State Appendix 75-A.10 Other systems. Other U.S. state's laws and specifications regulating greywater systems are listed below.

(5) Greywater Systems

Greywater [grey water, gray water] systems shall be designed upon a flow of 75 gpd/bedroom and meet all the criteria previously discussed for treatment of household wastewater.

[DF NOTE: Grey water is water that does not include sewage, including water from sinks, showers, and laundry facilities.]

Types of Graywater Products and Systems

Here we outline a variety graywater products, systems, and designs used to conserve water, re-use or recycle water, reduce water use, or to store and re-use graywater. Links to in-depth articles about these products and systems are provided below. See WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES for details.

Cisterns have been used since prehistoric time to collect and store rain water or water from other sources. Modern cistern systems use concrete tanks, steel, fiberglass, plastic, or site built tanks to store water for re-use. See WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS. Also see WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES.
Composting Toilets reduce water consumption by using little or no water from the building water supply. See TOILET ALTERNATIVES and Composting Toilets.
Drywells are used to dispose of un-wanted graywater on-site. There is no provision for water storage or water re-use. See DRYWELL DESIGN & USES.
Filters for Greywater are installed at a laundry sink, clothes washer, or at the outlet of a wastewater tank to filter water for re-use. See Filters for Septic Tanks & Graywater to protect septic drainfields and reduce drainfield clogging.
Grey Water Systems or drip irrigation systems make use of (usually filtered) greywater to provide water to lawns, plants, or crops. Greywater distribution devices or greywater diversion systems are packaged pump, filter, and controls to collect and distribute greywater from a building into a drip irrigation system.

Some nearly identical terms people use for greywater handling systems include Grey Water Diversion Systems, Grey Water Distribution & Graywater Irrigation Systems.
Low Water Toilets or Low Flush Toilets conserve water by using only a small amount of water to achieve the flush cycle. Low-Water or Low-Flush toilets work well partnered with graywater systems to both conserve and re-use water. See TOILET ALTERNATIVES.
Rainwater Collection Systems provide alternative water supply for use in flushing toilets or irrigating crops, lawns, or plants. Rainwater collection relieves the load on the potable water supply whether it's from a local well or from municipal supply piping. Rainwater collection systems range from a simple "rain barrel" to collect roof runoff, to very large cisterns which store water for onsite use during dry seasons or droughts. Examples are at PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST. Also see WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES.
Waterless Toilets conserve water by using no water to achieve the toilet flush cycle. Like composting toilets (see above), waterless toilets work well partnered with graywater systems to conserve water. Waterless toilets include incinerating toilet models (seelinks listed at Related Topics for more about alternative toilet products & designs.) See TOILET ALTERNATIVES.

Use of a Greywater System to Reduce Load on Septic System Drainfield

Question: Can I Use a "Packaged" Greywater System to Solve my Septic System Worry?

I purchased a home that had a septic system that is not in great shape. To take some of the strain off of the septic system I decided to put in a graywater system. I was looking at a packaged "ready to go" system that includes a bank of mesh filters and a pump enclosed in a plastic shell.

I wanted to see your thoughts on it. Can you recommend an inexpensive system? - C.M. (California)

Reply: Compare a Greywater Diversion Device and a Conventional Greywater Drywall

An example of a packaged grey water system is the Aqua2use greywater system that is described by Water Wise Group, its distributor in the U.S., as the "most efficient and advanced greywater diversion device available".

Image at left of the Aqua2Use system interior components is used with permission from Water Wise Group. Here is an exterior view and here is a sketch of how this system works.

A typical greywater diversion system provides a greywater receiving filter-tank or pumping chamber, a cascade of greywater filter materials and greywater pump itself, perhaps with integrated controls that operate the pump.

Remy Sabiani from Water Wise Group adds: "With its Multi Stage Filtration system, the Aqua2use makes the greywater suitable to use with a drip irrigation system. it also includes two magnetic micro floats that sense the water level, and automatically control the pump."

But without more information about your water usage, site characteristics, and irrigation needs, we are not sure it's what you need. Let's look at some details.

Adding up the Components & Costs of a Greywater Diversion System

At under $650. for a packaged "ready-to-go" greywater system dispersion device itself, that cost is less than the excavation, piping, and installation of a conventional drywell. To that you'll need to add the cost of the greywater drip irrigation piping and its installation, and you may need to add the cost of a larger receiving tank, filter and tank maintenance if your daily surges in water usage are larger than the greywater diversion system's tank and piping can absorb in short intervals.

You also will need to add the cost of changing existing home drain piping to divert graywater from baths and kitchen or at least the laundry system into a separate drain connected to the greywater diversion system.

A graywater system produces water that can be used to irrigate a lawn or garden (but not a vegetable garden) - by filtering greywater and feeding it into a drip irrigation system, and at the same time it relieves the septic system drainfield of having to absorb that same water volume - presuming your drip irrigation tubing is placing the water somewhere else.

Greywater Distribution System Site Factors

Also depending on how you are using your building plumbing system, and other factors like your site size and terrain slope, diameter and length of the drip piping system, the rate at which the graywater treatment pump and filter can accept and push through graywater may be more limited than a conventional drywell that by comparison has no trouble accepting a surge of graywater and disposing of it more slowly into the surrounding soil.

Take a look at your site shape, slope, and piping to see how easily you can separate off graywater draining from sinks, showers, tubs, laundry. You might find that the cost of those plumbing changes is also substantial when you are changing an existing home (as opposed to planning for graywater separation in new construction).

Take a look at the Aqua2Use Pump Curve and you'll see that if there is substantial head pressure (in feet) the flow rate in GPM that the system handles is slowed.

Greywater Distribution & Local Codes

In California where you are located, you can install a graywater system that accepts just water from an individual clothes washing machine without having to obtain a permit. (California Greywater Regulations) That's a simple installation that can reduce the load on your septic system drainfield, similar to using a conventional drywell for the same purpose, but adding filters and a pump and piping to dispose of the graywater on your property.

Watch out: most national and local plumbing codes do not permit discharge of grey water directly onto the ground surface, so simply spraying grey water over the ground like from a lawn sprinkler is probably not going to be accepted in your area. But to complicate this worry further, treated effluent from an aerobic septic treatment unit (ATU) may be allowed to be distributed by above-ground sprinkler systems, for example in some Texas communities. What's the difference? Probably the level of phosphates or detergents found in washing machine grey water.

See Grey Water System Codes & Regulations

Considering a Conventional Drywell for Greywater Disposal

But the costs of in house plumbing changes (usually high if you are including graywater from other sinks, tubs, showers) plus cost of the drip line installation (may be high) makes a simpler approach: connect the building laundry sink/washer and maybe dishwasher to a separate conventional drywell, worth considering, especially if you do not need to use the water for irrigation.

All of those costs combined with attention to your starting objective: relieve water load on a drainfield, suggest that you should also consider a simpler and more conventional drywell with an inlet filter to trap lint and large debris. See FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER .

If your soils have reasonable percolation rate, the drywell will handle a large volume of graywater without going to the added site-wide excavation to put in drip lines. No pumps or electricity are needed if you can drain graywater directly to the drywell by gravity.

Don't Forget to Care for the Septic Tank and Drainfields

Finally, your wish to reduce the load on the septic system by separating graywater presumes that it is the drainfield of your system that is limited, old or failing. But you should also have the septic tank pumped and inspected. It may need baffles, it may be damaged or leaky, it could have an unsafe cover, it may be small and require frequent pumping. And inspect the existing drainfield and D-box to see if there are alternate drainfield lines that can be switched into use, and to confirm that effluent is indeed entering all of the existing drainfield lines - all considerations that are very important in extending the life of the drainfield.

In sum, if you have reason to need and want a drip irrigation system anyway, say for lawn, plantings, or decorative (non-edibles) garden, and especially if you are in an area of limited water supply or drought restrictions, then you could use the graywater system but you'll need to get a more realistic cost estimate by including not just the graywater filter, tank, and pump but also the entire drip irrigation system. But if all you want is to relieve the liquid load on your drainfield a drywell may be a simpler approach that I recommend you consider. It too can handle larger surges of graywater.

Grey Water System Codes & Regulations

Graywater System Regulations for various U.S. States

Arizona Greywater Regulations: web search 01/24/2011, original source: http://www.azsos.gov/Public_services/Title_18/18-09.htm
Also see
Gelt, J. 2007. Home use of graywater, rainwater conserves water—and may save money. University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center. http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/arroyo/071rain.html
California Greywater Regulations: web search 01/24/2011, original source: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/2007CPC_Graywater_Complete_2-2-10.pdf.
Adaptign and quoting from the Certificate of Compliance with Final Express Terms Filed with the Secretary of State on January 27, 2010 [http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/2007CPC_Graywater_Complete_2-2-10.pdf],
Chapter 16A of the California Plumbing Code establishes the minimum requirements for the installation of graywater systems in occupancies regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). It is intended to provide guideance to code users while providing flexibility to encourage the use of graywater. This chapter contains provisions which allow the installation of limited types of graywater systems to be installed without a construction permit. It is not the intent of HCD that the exemption from a construction permit be construed by code users as an exemption from the provisions of this chapter or any other lawfully enacted requirements imposed by a city, county, or city and county, nor does it eliminate the need for persons considering the installation of a graywater system from contacting local authorities to ensure that they are adequately informed about any local requirements or prohibitions.

USE THE BACK ARROW OF YOUR BROWSER to RETURN HERE IF YOU VIEW THE BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS LISTED JUST BELOW
- Finding of Emergency for Proposed Building Standards of the Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the 2007 California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 5 (Graywater Standards). [State of emergency in California in 2009 due to drought conditions]
- Initial Statement of Reasons for Proposed Emergency Building Standards of the Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the 2007 California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 5 (Graywater Standards)
- Nine-Point Criteria Analysis of Proposed Emergency Building Standards of the Department of Housing and Community Development Regarding the 2007 California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 15A, Part 1 (Graywater Standards). Nine points that define the process of approval of building standards submitted to the CA Building Standards Commission.
- California Plumbing Code Chapter 16-A - Nonpotable Water Reuse Systems, Part I, Graywater Systems, Matrix Adoption Table
Colorado: Graywater Design Suggestions: water.state.co.us/pubs/policies/waterharvesting.pdf discusses rainwater harvesting and graywater systems in Colorado
Florida Greywater Regulations, References, & Building Codes:
- Florida Building Code. 2007. Florida Building Code: Plumbing, Effective March 1, 2009. http://www.floridabuilding.org/
- Florida Building Code. 2009. 2009 Supplement to the 2007 Florida Building Code, Effective March 1, 2009. http://www.floridabuilding.org/
- Florida Department of Health. 2006. Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code, Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, [Large PDF] web search 01/24/2011, original source: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ENVIRONMENT/OSTDS/pdfiles/forms/64e6.pdf
- Florida Wastewater Processing & Conservation Practices, Jake Emerson, University of Florida, web search 01/24/2011, original source: www.cce.ufl.edu/wastewater
New Mexico Graywater Regulations: web search 01/24/2011, original source: http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/05%20Regular/bills/house/HB0711.pdf
Texas Greywater Regulations: Texas Health & Safety Code - Section 341.039. Graywater Standards, web search 01/24/2011, original source: http://law.onecle.com/texas/health/341.039.00.html
Utah: Graywater Systems Design Standards: www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r317/r317-401.htm

Graywater System Products, Greywater Diversion Systems, Pumps, Tanks, Books and Design Specifications For Graywater Systems

Photo of the EcoJohn Jr. waterless incinerating system for graywater and toilet waste

BUY GREYWATER BOOKS ONLINE
Create An Oasis with Greywater, Art Ludwig. Also see Ludwig's "Branched Drain Greywater Systems" and his "Building Professional's Greywater Guide".
Greywater Recycling Kits & Equipment from The Natural Home Building Source: http://www.thenaturalhome.com/greywater.html
Graywater Central - online web with design information http://www.graywater.net/
Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
Aqua2use Grey Water System (GWDD), Water Wise Group, Inc. 1580 Granache Way Templeton, CA 93465 Phone: (805) 468-4920 Remy Sabiani - remy@waterwisegroup.com
Eco John describes two incinerating toilet models: EcoJohn Sr - "A highly efficient, waterless toilet that incinerates the waste with propane. This is a toilet that is ideal for cabins, pool houses, guest rooms, or other remote areas where a conventional toilet is not available or too costly to install."
and EcoJohn Jr Pr1 System "This is a new revolutionary system that incinerates gray/black water from a holding tank. This system is perfect in areas where a water toilet is needed, but pumping out the waste is problematic or too costly." This grey water and waterless toilet system that includes an incinerator for graywater that marries with a low-water toilet, the the EcoJohn Jr which is includes a sewage and graywater incinerating unit. The EcoJohn Jr. uses a low-flush toilet (not a waterless toilet). This is an incinerating unit not a composting toilet and not a chemical toilet system.

Sketch of the Clivus Multrum greywater system for graywater and toilet waste

Clivus Multrum greywater systems use a holding chamber, effluent pump, and an onsite irrigation chamber (see our Gravelless septic system components information) to dispose of graywater.

The sketch of a greywater handling and disposal system shown here is from the Clivus Multrum website where more details of system operation are provided. Where soil conditions and site space permit onsite graywater disposal this system design can significantly reduce the wastewater load on the septic or "blackwater" system.

Clivus Multrum has long experience with composting toilets (CM was an early designer of composting toilets) and greywater disposal systems.

Contact Us to list your product or service here - if you are a manufacturer of composting toilets or other alternative wastewater treatment system equipment your product may be listed at no fee. Website content critique, additions, and suggestions are also invited.

Rainwater Collection Methods to Obtain Additional Water Supply

You may find that you are better off providing a large cistern type storage tank. Use of large water storage cisterns has been a common practice for thousands of years and continues in modern use with plastic or fiberglass water storage tanks into which rainwater or in some areas even surface runoff may be channeled for future use.

See the rainwater collection and storage tank we show in our article at PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST) and collecting as much rainwater as possible when rainy weather occurs.

Graywater Collection Methods to Obtain Additional Water Supply

What most people do, as you will see in our article above, is make use of graywater, usually filtered, sometimes treated.

You might find that rainwater collection in areas where rainfall is plentiful in some seasons, or graywater use, are more economical for your use, and that condensation is more costly to operate and less productive in quantity unless you design a cheap, very large solar condensing operation.

See Greywater Septic Systems that begins at the top of this page.
See FILTERS SEPTIC & GREYWATER for graywater filters used to protect septic systems from debris in graywater, the first step in making graywater useful for watering grass, trees, plants, etc.
See GREYWATER SYSTEM BOOKS for books on graywater systems

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

American Rainwater Cachment Systems Association (ARCSA), 823 Congress Avenue, Suite 230, Austin, TX 78701, 512-617-6528 Email: info@arcsa.org. Quoting from the association's website:
The Mission of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.
The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 by Dr. Hari J. Krishna in Austin, Texas, to promote rainwater catchment systems in the United States. Our memberships consist of professionals working in city, state, and federal government, academia, manufacturers and suppliers of rainwater harvesting equipment, consultants, and other interested individuals. Membership is not limited to the United States, and we encourage all rainwater harvesting enthusiasts to join our organization. Local responsibilities are often delegated to ARCSA's Regional Representatives.
Aqua2use Grey Water System (GWDD), Water Wise Group, Inc. 1580 Granache Way, Templeton, CA 93465, Phone: (805) 468-4920, Remy Sabiani, Email: remy@waterwisegroup.com.
Thanks to Mr. Sabiani for technical review and critique, 01/25/2011.
A YouTube video explains what greywater is, and how the Aqua2use works.
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
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  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06
Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com 11/06
Arlene Puentes, a licensed home inspector, educator, and building failures researcher in Kingston, NY. 11/29/06
BUY GREYWATER BOOKS ONLINE - here is our list of recommended books on graywater systems
Graywater and Rainwater System Plans from Ecological Engineering
Thanks to reader C.M. (California) for discussing greywater distribution devices, January 2011

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Builder's Greywater Guide, Art Ludwig. Oasis Design, 2006, ISBN-10: 0964343320 ISBN-13: 978-0964343320
Create an Oasis with Greywater, Choosing, Building, and Using Greywater Systems - includes Branched Drains, Art Ludwig, Oasis Design, 2006, ISBN 0964343398
the Culture of Technology, Arnold Pacey,
Effects of Water Age on Distribution System Water Quality, American Water Works Association.
Ferrocement Water Tank, Frans Dubbeldam. German Volunteer Service in Nepal
Ferrocement Water Tanks and their Construction, S.B. Watt, printed by the Intermediate Technology Publications, London, UK.
Gravity Flow Water Systems: Handbook of Gravity Flow Water Systems Thomas D. Jordan, Jr. Intermediate Technology Development Group. 1980.
Maruata en el Cruce de Caminos, Art Ludwig. Oasis Design. Ecological systems designs for an indigenous community in Mexico, including water supply and sanitation. See PDF downloadable book at www.oasisdesign.net/design/examples/maruata/book.htm.
"Microbial Problems in Treated Water Storage Tanks", Smith, C., and G. Burlingame. 1994. In Proc. of the 1994 Annual AWWA Conference. Denver, Colo.: AWWA.
Quality of Water in Storage Grayman, W.M. and G.J. Kirmeyer. 2000. "Protecting Your Storage Tank - An Analysis of Long- and Short-Term Options", Jacobs, K.A. 2000. In Proc. of the AWWA Infrastructure Conference. Denver, Colo.: AWWA.
Rainwater Catchment Systems for Domestic Supply, John Gould and Erik Nissen-Petersen. Intermediate Technology Publications, 1999.
Sand filters See www.oasisdesign.net/water/treatment/slowsandfilter.htm.
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications; (February 1, 2007), ISBN-10: 0936070404, ISBN-13: 978-0936070407
More than 28 million households have septic systems, but few homeowners know how they operate or how to maintain them. This clearly written, illustrated guide addresses that need, emphasizing conventional septic systems powered by gravity flow, filtering through soil, and the natural soil organisms that purify sewage. The book discusses maintenance, what to do if things go wrong, and alternative systems such as mounds and sand filters. Additional chapters cover graywater systems, composting toilets, and a unique history of water-borne waste disposal. This expanded edition contains three new chapters.
Builder's Guide to Wells & Septic Systems,
Slow Sand Filtration, Huisman L. and Wood, W.E., WHO 1974
Steel Water Storage Tanks: Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Repair, Steve Meier, American Water Works Association, McGraw-Hill Professional; (March 22, 2010) ISBN-10: 0071549382, ISBN-13: 978-0071549387
Stormwater Collection Systems Design Handbook,
Surface Water Treatment Rule US Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/smallsys/ndwac/surface.html.
Tank Construction Procedures Steve Burgess, Edoret Region Company P.O. Box 6495, Eldoret, Kenya. Fax 254-321-62472. sburgess@maf.org.
Technology and Developing Countries, Practical Applications, Theoretical Issues, (Science, Technology, & Development), Routeledge.
The relationship between technology and development is explored by economists, policy analysts and other experts. The adoption of technology is studied in five main areas agriculture, energy, infrastructure, the introduction of technology and the success and constraints of technological diffusion as a whole. This volume also examines the technology transfer between North and South from a perspective of training, environmental impact and aid dependency. The emphasis is not placed simply on finding problems, but ways forward are examined. By bringing together both practical and intellectual analysis, this collection signposts future directions in the technologydevelopment relationship.
Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use, Art Ludwig, Oasis Design 2005 ISBN 0-9643433-6-3
Water Distribution Systems Handbook Larry W. Mays. American Water Works Association, 1999.
Welded Steel Tanks for Water Storage, American Water Works Assn, 1984.
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan. McGraw-Hill Professional, 1991.
Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites. - DF note: lacks detail on septic systems.
The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.

Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
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