We are getting ready to move to move into a house with no septic system....tho toilet part we've taken care of(composting),but I need info on kitchen graywater systems.....would appreciate anyones help on this - thanks

-- Cameron MacLaren (cmaclaren@hotmail.com), May 13, 2001

Answers

run the kitchen and shower water to a feild or orchard. Just watch out for the soap, keep it low phosphorus

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), May 13, 2001.

Use a greasetrap or you'll waterproof your drain field with the grease. Check the archives - heaps of stuff there. My answer would be grease trap, then rubble drain with (fruit?) trees planted both sides of it.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 13, 2001.

By all means use a grease trap before having the water go out into the field. I was also thinking what are you doing with your bathroom sink and shower/tub water? If you build a greenhouse close by your bathroom you could run the bathroom water to that.

-- Tom (tjk@cac.net), May 13, 2001.

We have a 120 year old farmhouse in an area with no zoning and our greywater goes out into the pasture area ajacent to the house, all greywater goes out a simple pipe and drains out over two separate areas of field. The toilet only goes into a septic tank, and short (less than 20 feet) leachbed, and it too goes into a pasture field, the effluent has no odor when it comes out into the field.

This simple system has served the members of this house since indoor plumbing came about back in the 40's, so I see no reason it can't continue to serve us well for years to come, baring stupid zoning law changes, or course. The area of the fields that receive the drainwaters are lush and green and naturally fertilized, year round, there is no smell or insect problem. You have to have enough land to do this of course, wouldn't be possible on under 5 acres, we got 104, so we don't have to worry about any of our effluent contaminating anybody elses property or ground or surface waters.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), May 15, 2001.