From Laundry to Landscape
How Using Grey Water from Your Washing Machine Can Feed Your Plants
As we continue to explore resilient living practices, one often overlooked strategy is harnessing the abundant grey water from our washing machines to feed our landscapes. Grey water – the wastewater generated from sinks, showers, and washing machines – can be a super valuable resource for plant growth.
What is Grey Water?
Grey water is the wastewater generated from household activities like washing clothes, dishes, and bodies. It's distinct from blackwater, which comes from toilets and contains human waste. Grey water can be safely reused for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable purposes.
Benefits of Using Grey Water for Irrigation:
Conserves Potable Water : By reusing grey water, you reduce the demand on potable water supplies.
Saves Money : Lower water bills and reduced energy consumption for water treatment and pumping.
Promotes Plant Growth : Contains nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, beneficial for plant development.
Drought Resilience : Helps plants survive during water restrictions.
Oregon State University Examples:
OSU's Water Resources Research Institute found that grey water reuse can reduce potable water demand by up to 30% in residential areas.
The university's Department of Horticulture conducted studies showing that grey water irrigation increased plant growth by 25% compared to potable water irrigation.
OSU's Sustainability Office implemented a grey water reuse system in their Gilliland Hall building, reducing water consumption by 20% and saving $1,000 annually.
Choose the Right Washing Detergent : Need low-sodium, biodegradable detergents to ensure grey water safety for plants.
Washing Soda and Borax: DIY detergent ingredients, effective and eco-friendly.
Soap nuts: A natural plant, non-toxic alternative that is generally safe
Seventh Generation Concentrated: Breaks down quickly
How to Harness Grey Water from Your Washing Machine:
Install a Grey Water System : Separate your washing machine drain and connect it to a surge tank or directly to your irrigation system.
Choose the Right Washing Detergent : Opt for low-sodium, biodegradable detergents to ensure grey water safety for plants.
Design Your Irrigation System : Incorporate grey water into your drip irrigation or mulch basin irrigation for efficient water distribution.
Outdoor Machinery: Allows for a more direct and gravity-fed connection to the grey water tank or irrigation system, reducing plumbing complexity and energy needs.
More in-depth install : Dry Well / Greywater 101 / This Old House
