Grey Water Disposal

[Jstpssng]

To do it legally you could have another soil test/site plan done to put in a grey water system; then if situations change you can sell without worrying about being in compliance.

 

[MossRoad]

... However, I also know that lint, coffee grounds, and water treatment backwash salts and minerals are very bad for septic drainfields.....

How do you know water softener backwash is bad for septic drainfields?

Do you know how many gallons of backwash your water softener generates?
Do you know how often your water softener re-generates?

Since your septic system is new, isn't there a filter on it to prevent lint and undigested paper products and such from getting to the drain field?

 

[BigBlue1]

How do you know water softener backwash is bad for septic drainfields?

Do you know how many gallons of backwash your water softener generates?
Do you know how often your water softener re-generates?

Since your septic system is new, isn't there a filter on it to prevent lint and undigested paper products and such from getting to the drain field?

I asked the same question about the softener discharge a couple days ago. No answer yet.

Rob

 

[TractorGuy]

When I had my house built they required a separate system for the washing machine. We had been living on the property in a mobile home for quite a while so we used the septic system for that for the washing machine and had a new system installed for the house.

Since our house was built we had to have the drain field replaced because my sister and wife planted a Crepe Myrtle tree on it and it was clogged with roots.

Your poop and any other solids are not supposed to make it to the drain field in a properly designed/working system. Solids should settle into the tank and be pumped out on a cycle. Cycles depend on use and are anywhere for 2 to 5 years.

 

[cqaigy2]

As long as all bathroom fluids (sinks, tubs, showers) go into the system, you should have enough to keep it running. The rest (kitchen, laundry, etc.) aren't needed.

A few years ago was reading about grey water systems. Basically anything that can contain feces, another word for poop, could not go into the grey water system. So including Diggin It list, would be laundry.

Also if you watch Top Gear, a used car contains feces.........

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

The salt from the softener has caused problems with systems with a pump (mound systems are popular around here due to the heavy clay). My inlaws had to replace their pump on a regular basis until they diverted the softener water to a drywell.

 

[MossRoad]

No problems:
How Do Water Softeners Affect Septic Systems? | Water-Right

No Problems:
GWSofteners
- Center for Watershed Science and Education | UWSP

Problems, but easily resolved:
Just route the softener regen discharge directly to the drain field, skipping the septic, and that resolves any issues the might occur due to salt.
Water softener discharges do harm septic systems -- And the problem is easy to solve - WaterWorld

Bottom line is this...

A water softener shouldn't use any more water than, say, a washing machine, or a couple people showering.

It shouldn't regenerate on a timer. It should regenerate on demand.

Most people have never had their water tested, and have their water softeners set to use too much salt for their needs. Have the water tested and set the softener properly.

 

[ning]

Most people have never had their water tested, and have their water softeners set to use too much salt for their needs. Have the water tested and set the softener properly.

I occasionally stay with some friends when I'm in their town on business. I've mentioned a couple times that their system is turned up too high - I never feel rinsed no matter how long I'm under the shower after washing. He maintains it's at the right setting but he's never had the water tested (city water, not sure where he's getting the setting but it's not worth "proving" one way or another).

 

[BigBlue1]

I occasionally stay with some friends when I'm in their town on business. I've mentioned a couple times that their system is turned up too high - I never feel rinsed no matter how long I'm under the shower after washing. He maintains it's at the right setting but he's never had the water tested (city water, not sure where he's getting the setting but it's not worth "proving" one way or another).

Not sure I follow. If a softener isn't doing enough to fully soften the water the water will still be hard and soapy water will feel 'sticky'. If the softener is set right it will fully soften the water and use only as much salt as needed (i.e. only regen when needed and not use more salt during the process than needed to clean the resin). If the system is set to regen too frequently or use more salt during regen then you waste salt and water, but the resulting softened water isn't any different. It's still fully softened - the softener can't do more than just remove all the minerals in the hard water. Perhaps what you were experiencing was their softener not being effective enough?

Rob

 

[MossRoad]

Yep. Soft water should feel just that... soft. You're skin should feel slick and smooth after a shower, and not sticky, or squeaky clean.