Greywater Storage Tank Idea - Will it work?

[4570Man]

Use to install septic systems and from what I do remember the term grey water was not a legal term in Ky code. As the inspector told me Everybody Pees In The Shower. You were allowed to divert the washing machine water to a seperate line going to some chambers but not the shower or sink water.
And yes a septic system will chug along just fine with nothing but the toilets going to it.
I have seen systems using ibc totes in basements that captured the grey water then used it by a seperate pump to fill toilets.
As was stated earlier no one in the rural areas, at least around here, are hunting down illegal grey water systems.
I would get some Infiltrator chambers and run the grey water to them. A lint filter on the washer will greatly increase any system. The lint builds up a mat that never seems to break down.

Sometimes we dumped shower water from campers on the ground. It kinda stinks. I don’t think I’d want to use it for toilet water. Especially since that’s the only water my dog will drink.

 

[4570Man]

If it is graywater what is the purpose of the tank? Why not just run it into a leach field? Once the tank is filled all the water just goes out the overflow or to the leach field anyway.

Doug in SW IA

That’s probably the simplest thing to do. My perforated gutter drains don’t discharge much water at the end. I think if you used gravel in the ditch which I didn’t and you were discharging less water then a gutter you’d be fine. If you were going to use a tank I’d probably drain it off the bottom. That way the tank would empty and you’d have some storage to reduce the chance of your shower backing up.

 

[RoyKing]

A grease trap is needed our you will plug your field eventually

 

[PILOON]

Times sure have changed.
Back then, I dug and made a septic using cinder blocks (per codes) and an absorption pit also to code.
Total costs were modest, load of stone ($200.?), blocks @ $1.00 ea and off to the races.
At that time a pro would charge about $3000. for a system.
AND that DIY still operates just fine and passes every year!
Today you are lucky to have an approved system under $25,000. what with Econoflow, Bionest and other newfangled concoctions.
Shortly we'll have computer monitored systems that will Email U the current status.
Progress I guess.
If it ain't computerized it ain't good!

LOL, I am aware of quite a few that are mere buried 45 gal perforated drums that still do just fine as we as an association monitor our lake environment on an annual basis taking 20 or so water samples at selected repetitive sites.

Oh and the city mandates semi annual pumping subject to fines.
Not a cash grab but to protect the environment, so they say.

 

[fried1765]

Thats going to get you in one big boat of trouble when the wrong person finds out about it, put it back in the septic where it belongs..

If the system is to small replace it or pump it out more often.

Septic systems are not do it your self, they are very serious business, in fact you have no say in the matter by law. Your plan is a bad idea, what your doing is illegal and if you have neighbors within 25 miles you may find yourself in court when they sue you for destroying their water supply..as well as your own.

OMG....we are in panic mode!

 

[ultrarunner]

Many communities in drought prone areas have codified grey water systems... permits and all.

To say Grey Water systems are not legal across the board would not be correct.

 

[fried1765]

What is the purpose of a tank for grey water? For solids, you have the tank so the solids will break down, and then the remain fluids will be absorbed into the soil.

If you are just getting rid of grey water, and you don't want to use it to water an area of land, so the woods out back, then you can put in a leach field and let it soak into the ground that way.

Either way, there is no reason to have a tank to hold the water for any period of time.

Finally someone has stated the obvious!

 

[BoFuller]

I too have a grey water holding tank on my to do list. It will be for watering some fruit trees. I thought that a holding tank would allow me to drip water the trees with a timer instead of flooding them all at once.

 

[Diggin It]

I too have a grey water holding tank on my to do list. It will be for watering some fruit trees. I thought that a holding tank would allow me to drip water the trees with a timer instead of flooding them all at once.

See, I'm not sure I would use it for that. The water we're talking about has household stuff in it, oils, soaps, various other chemicals, etc. I use collected rainwater for vegetation by means of tanks or ponds and a few barrels on downspouts from gutters.

 

[ultrarunner]

After years of drought cycles and mandatory rationing... Grey Water is now firmly accepted boy authorities of jurisdiction here...

East Bay Municipal Utility District :: Graywater

Up to 40 percent of your indoor water can be captured and reused as graywater. Sources of graywater in the home include the laundry, bathroom faucets, showers, and bathtubs. Kitchen sink, diaper soiled water, and "blackwater" (toilet flush water) are not acceptable sources of graywater