Greywater: Regulations By State

Compost Toilets And Greywater:

I want to share a link regarding the laws in each state, regarding compost toilets and greywater that I will list below. I will be highlighting the laws in Wa state.

Wa. State Law Composting Toilets And Grey Water

Compost toilets are designed to handle fecal and urine wastes together with small amounts of organic kitchen waste. Wastewater originating from bathing facilities, sinks and washing machines and is called greywater and it must be collected, treated and disposed of in an approved manner.

A drainfield or mound sysyem are recommended from standard design requirements to dipose of grey water.

Insulated, Heated And Protected From Low Temperature Conditions

In order to maintain the stored waste at temperatures conducive to aerobic biological decomposition, it must stay between 20 to 50 degrees. The compost toilet must be capable of maintaining wastes within a moisture range of 40 to 75%.

Carbon -To-Nitrogen Ratio 20:1

The addition of vegetable mattter, wood chips, sawdust, etc… help maintain the carbon to nitrogen ratio.

Compost Cannot Directly Be Used For 12 Months On Food Crops

Compost cannot be used directly on root crops, low growing vegetables , fruits or berries used for human consumption for 12 months prior to planting.

Greywater systems are virtually the same as combined-wastewater on-site sewage sysyems. Gravity flow greywater systems consist of a septic tank, pump chamber or vault and a subsurface drainfield.

Other types of alternative systems, pre-treatment methods and drainfield designs and materials options may be incorportated in greywater systems.

Grey Water Can Be Reused For Subsurface Irrigation

Greywater systems are intended to treat and dispose of ‘residential greywater’. Grey water can be used for watering, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns and fruit trees and bushes.

Greywater Cannot Be Used On Food Crops

Greywater cannot be used on food crops or vegetables, flushing toilets, urinals or to wash walls or driveways.

Narrow Than Normal Trenches

A very narrow trench with a minimum depth of six inches will  enhance the efficiency and distribution of greywater reuse for root-zone plants, trees and shrubs.

Small  3/4 Inch Gravel Recommended For Narrow Trenches

Two inches of gravel need to be used between the sides of the distribution pipe and trench sidewalls.

Grey Water Codes And Policy