Install a Greywater System to Lower Utility Bills and Save Water
Greywater is household water collected from sinks, washing machines, and showers that can be reused for landscape irrigation. Here’s what to consider before converting your plumbing.
Water from bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines is classified as greywater and, depending on local and state regulations, can be diverted to irrigate landscaping. The water that dishwashers and kitchen sinks produce, on the other hand, can be contaminated with food and can’t be used in greywater systems. Toilet water is off-limits as well.
A simple, low-tech greywater system can be professionally built for $1,000 to $2,000 by installing a three-way valve to funnel water from a washing machine to a hose or pipe that disperses it to the landscaping. More elaborate setups can cost about $10,000 and reconfigure a home’s plumbing to redirect water from bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, and the laundry that would otherwise drain to a sewer. The greywater is sent to an irrigation system, sometimes equipped with a pump, to distribute it to plants and trees throughout a yard. Given that complexity, it’s advisable to hire a company that specializes in installing greywater systems and designing irrigation systems.