Showing 4 posts
StrykerPez
StrykerPez
Grey Water vs Black Water
Feb 3 2010, 2:53 AM EST | Post edited: Feb 3 2010, 2:53 AM EST
This was prompted by some of Pedro's plan.

In my experience, grey water can be strained by mesh (to keep solids from clogging pumps and irrigation) and used immediately, no other filtration or treatment necessary.

Growing up on a ranch, we relied on a septic tank and leech field to take care of waste water. The only thing that went into the septic tank were the toilets. Everything else (kitchen sink, shower, washing machine, bathroom sink) went into a holding tank with a pump that fed irrigation systems. Do you find this valuable?    
PedroAsani
PedroAsani
1. RE: Grey Water vs Black Water
Feb 3 2010, 3:11 AM EST | Post edited: Feb 3 2010, 3:11 AM EST
My thought was to be certain that the water going onto the crops is safe. It might be that for several months or years, you can do just as you say, and then one time something goes into the system that would pose a health hazard.

But I have not looked into this aspect in too much detail, so I might well be worrying over nothing. I will be going further in-depth to this later on, once I have got parts 1 and 2 sorted. Do you find this valuable?    
StrykerPez
StrykerPez
2. RE: Grey Water vs Black Water
Feb 3 2010, 10:03 PM EST | Post edited: Feb 3 2010, 10:03 PM EST
I wouldn't spray grey water directly onto garden vegetables, but fruit trees, berry bushes, and fields (either grain for making flour or something like Alfalfa or Timothy hay for animal feed). Do you find this valuable?    
182crazyking
182crazyking
3. RE: Grey Water vs Black Water
Feb 3 2010, 10:53 PM EST | Post edited: Feb 3 2010, 10:53 PM EST
To clarify things (for me mostly)...

Grey Water: Water from kitchen sinks, showers/baths, laundry, and other water that contains no fecal matter (poop) or urine (but is not fresh). You can filter it to make it usable to irrigate crops post-Z Day.

Black Water: Water that contains urine or fecal matter.

Here are some articles I found online.

How to make grey water safe for irrigation: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_m/m-106.html

How to make black water good fertilizer: build a composting toilet! http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Composting-Toilet Do you find this valuable?    

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