Greywater Information Links

Lots of information here. Greywater was an underground idea for so long that people feel safe saying just about anything about it. This has led to a lot of misinformation even in the official reports from cities and states. Rather than choose which information you see I've simply categorized it a little so you can watch out for the iffy ones. At The Greywater Group our motto is K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple, Sustainable, and it shows in our preference of links.

Best Links

This is the best, most complete information available.  Its also where 95% of the correct information on our site came from. Much thanks to Art Ludwig and the Oasis Design team.

Greywater Action For a sustainable water culture.     This is another  trustable site, very much on the same page as Oasis Design.  This is the page were on.


 

The Greywater Alliance

http://c2.mcbusiness.org/file_depot/0-10000000/10000-20000/16786/folder/81764/Oakland_GreywaterOrdinanceDraft_11-30-08.pdf

http://www.greywater.com/

http://www.bahmansheikh.com/index.htm    Good international site.

Central Coast Wilds (CCW), a division of Ecological Concerns Incorporated,

Sustainable Living Design 

 Permaculture Institute of Northern California PO Box 341 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 Phone: 415-663-9090              www.regenerativedesign.org  Penny Livingston

Mixed Sites

Some good, Some bad, due to out of date info, and info on unsustainable systems.

California American Water – Cease and Desist Order Hearing

http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/plant_culture/gray_water_for_gardens.html

http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/download/graybro.pdf

Helping Our Peninsulas Environment

A Guide to Building a Graywater System in Santa Monica NEW STANDARDS IN EFFECT AS OF AUGUST 4, 2009

Physical and Hydrologic Assessment of the Carmel River Watershed


I

Elkhorn Slough/a>
Provided by: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
URL: http://www.epa.gov/ecoplaces/ecosystems.pdf
Reference URL: http://www.epa.gov/ecoplaces/
Geographic Keywords: Watershed (USGS Cataloging Code)
Keywords: Agriculture, Coasts, Erosion, Nonpoint Source Pollution/Polluted Runoff, Pesticides, Wetlands
Contact: Suzanne Marr
Contact Telephone: (415) 744-1974
Last Updated: 2/8/2008 11:45:34 AM

Elkhorn Slough - NERR Home Page
Summary: Elkhorn Slough is a tidal embayment located midway between the coastal towns of Santa Cruz and Monterey at the apex of the Monterey Submarine Canyon. The Slough is the remnant of an ancient river valley flooded by the last rise of sea level and filled with sediment. While there is no permanent river flowing through the Slough today, winter rains create a seasonal estuary. Elkhorn Slough features mixed oak woodlands and grasslands on rolling hills overlooking tidal salt marsh. Elkhorn Slough is a principal wetland complex in central California and is considered one of the most ecologically important estuaries in the state. The main channel of the Slough winds inland nearly seven miles and encompasses over 2,500 acres of marsh and tidal flats. Part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System [http://www.nos.noaa.gov/ocrm/nerr/].
Provided by: NERR & ElkhornSlough.org
URL: http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/ElkhornSlough/
Reference URL: http://www.elkhornslough.org/
Geographic Keywords: State
State(s): California
Keywords: Coasts, Ecosystems, Education Materials, Estuaries, Eutrophication, Fish, Habitat Loss, Monitoring, Nutrients/Nutrient Loading, Oceans, Parks, Science Projects, Water Quality/Pollution, Watershed Management, Wetlands, Wildlife
Last Updated: 3/5/2008 3:20:24 PM

Friends of the Sea Otter
Provided by: Friends of the Sea Otter
URL: http://www.seaotters.org/
Reference URL: http://www.seaotters.org/
Geographic Keywords: Watershed (USGS Cataloging Code)
State(s): California
Keywords: Coasts, Conservation, Endangered Species, Habitat Loss, Oceans, Oil Spills
Contact Email: seaotter@seaotters.org
Contact Telephone: 408-373-2747
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:43 AM

Los Padres National Forest
Summary: Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California. Stretching almost 220 miles from the Carmel Valley area to the western edge of Los Angeles County, it provides the scenic backdrop for many communities including Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ojai. While many of its campgrounds and picnic areas are easily reached by vehicle, much of the forest is remote and unroaded, with excellent opportunities for primitive back country recreation.
Provided by: US Forest Service
URL: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/
Geographic Keywords: Watershed (USGS Cataloging Code)
State(s): California
Keywords: Forestry, Recreation
Contact: Karen Solari
Contact Email: ksolari@fs.fed.us
Contact Telephone: 202-205-0879
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:57 AM

Los Padres National Forest
Summary: The Los Padres National Forest is one of 18 national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region of the US Department of Agriculture-Forest Service. The eighteen national forests in California cover only 20% of the land in the State but produce almost half the State's runoff water. Because so much of California's water comes from the national forests, the health of our forest ecosystems and watersheds is critical. Many of California's national forests were created specifically to safeguard and preserve water supplies.
Provided by: USDA-Forest Service
URL: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/
Reference URL: http://www.fs.fed.us
Geographic Keywords: Watershed (USGS Cataloging Code)
State(s): California
Keywords: Ecosystems, Forestry, Recreation
Map Themes: General-Other
Contact: Karen Solari
Contact Email: ksolari/wo@fs.fed.us
Contact Telephone: 202-205-0879
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:01 AM

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Summary: A unique private oceanographic center, the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), was established in 1987 by David Packard with the goal of developing state-of-the-art equipment, instrumentation, systems, and methods of scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean.
Provided by: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
URL: http://www.mbari.org/
Geographic Keywords: State
State(s): California
Keywords: Ecosystems, Education Materials, Estuaries, Oceans, Science Projects
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:17 AM

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Summary: The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation (MBSF) is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation whose goal is to promote protection and public understanding of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Incorporated in 1995, the Foundation focuses its efforts on educating the public about the extraordinary environment and resources of Monterey Bay. As a private organization, the Foundation has the flexibility to implement programs and projects that NOAA, as a lightly staffed federal agency, can not. MBSF is a new, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and protection of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and other national marine sanctuaries in California.
Provided by: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
URL: http://www.mbnmsf.org/
Geographic Keywords: State
State(s): California
Keywords: Biodiversity, Coasts, Ecosystems, Education Materials, Estuaries, Oceans, Parks, Recreation, Water Quality/Pollution
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:08 AM

Save Our Shores
Summary: Our mission is to protect and promote the ecological integrity of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through education, policy research, and citizen action.
Provided by: Save Our Shores
URL: http://www.saveourshores.org/
Geographic Keywords: State
State(s): California
Keywords: Coasts, Ecosystems, Education Materials, Estuaries, Oceans, Water Quality/Pollution
Last Updated: 7/23/2004 10:11:35 AM

 

Government Publications,

Lots Of Misinformation
 

 http://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/OSE/Categories/Water/Graywater-Cistern_Permitting_Checklist2.6.08.pdf

http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Building/Sourcebook/graywaterSystems.htm

http://www.amwater.com/files/WaterReuse.012609.pdf

http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:wCS0xc4nTV4J:agwaterstewards.org/txp/file_download/15/LA_Graywater_Pilot_Project.pdf+Agwa+greywater&hl=en&gl=us

http://ag.arizona.edu/cochise/waterwise/drought_landscape_tips.pdf

http://www.sustainable-eastside.net/Greywater

Graywater should not be stored, as it turns to “black” toilet type water  within 24 hours.

The simpler a graywater system is the better it works

A simple pipe from the collection plumbing in the house, that runs downhill from into a properly designed mulch basin, is almost foolproof.  It's also very low maintenance, extremely sustainable,  and could last many decades.

The most complicated part of building a graywater system is keeping it simple.

The success of these simple systems, and the dire need to conserve water are what prompted the California legislature to pass an emergency measure making it legal to install a simple system without a permit.

The need to conserve water is dire, according to California American Water if that State Water Resources Control Board imposes even modest cutbacks on the Monterey Peninsula, residents can probably forget about watering their gardens.

Though very good for the landscape, an effective graywater system doesn't irrigate the way of fresh water system does.  It's not under pressure,  and it contains bits of matter that will clog the fine tuned type of irrigation were used to. Instead mulch basins are used to cleanse the water, and deliver it to landscape "areas" as opposed to specific small plants. Graywater is perfect for watering trees.

Graywater systems are great for the einvironment not only do they they reduce the amount of water taken out of the rivers but also return water by recharging the aquifers. The clean biologically treated water they produce, seeps back into the earth, recycling the clean water back to the rivers and aquifers

 thanks to harvesth20.org



Gutterglove Gutterguard - Keeps gutters clean. Keeps out leave, pine needles and SAND!
1.877.662.5644
www.gutterglove.com

Accu-Tanks & Equipment Co. - Tanks
4372 Sonoma Hwy, Ste A
Santa Rosa, CA 95409

American Tank Company -Water tanks, Filtration Systems, Rainwater Collection Systems and Pumps
200 American Way
Windsor, CA 95492
Website: www.WaterTanks.com
Phone: 1-877-655-1100

Aqua Pacific - Tanks and Filtration Systems
P.O. Box 738
Windsor, CA 95492

Aqua Azul Corporation - UV Filtration Systems
13704 Hanford Armona Road
Hanford, Ca 93230

BeWaterWise.com- Southern California Rebate and Education Website
1-877-234-4331

BH Tanks - Tanks
555 El Camino Real So.
Salinas, CA 93908

Biosolutions Inc. - Tanks
5310 Derry Avenue, Suite E
Agoura Hills, CA 93301

Bushman USA - Tanks
26040 Ynez Rd.
Temecula, CA 92589-3051

California Rainwater Conservation Systems, LLC - Rainbarrels
3 Catskill Ct.
San Anselmo, CA 94960

Carson Manufacturing Company - Tanks Liners and Bladders
P.O. Box 750338
Petaluma, CA 94975-0338

C V Industrial & Ag Supply - Tanks
51701 US Highway 111 # A8
Coachella, CA 92236

Coldwater Construction Company - Concrete Tanks
832 Brown
Healdsburg, CA

Composters - Rainbarrels
32 Rancho Circle
Lake Forest CA 92630

Containment Solutions - Tanks
2600 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: 936-756-7731 Tollfree: 1-877-CSI-TANK
Website: www.containmentsolutions.com

Cudo Stormwater Products - Rainwater Storage System
PO Box 497
Occidental, CA 95465

D & D Group/Plastic-Mart - Tanks
13493 Prospector Ct
Corona, CA 92880

DH Water Management, Inc. - Commercial Design
453 Calle Miguel
San Clemente, CA 92672

Dripworks - Irrigation Supplies and Calculator
190 Sanhedrin Circle
Willits, CA 95490

Earthcraft Landscape Design - Rainwater Harvesting and Landscape Architectural Design
5032 Wildberry Lane
Soquel, CA 95073
Website: www.earthcraftdesign.com
Phone: 831-475-9355

Ecowater of the Desert - Filtration Systems
71-428 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Enviro Plumbing - Design and Installation
2633 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 606
Santa Monica, CA 91602

Flexi-Liner - Tank Liners
3198 Factory Drive
Pomona, CA 91768

Friends of Water - Water Filters and Water Information
14618 Tyler Foote Road
Nevada City, CA 95959

Garfield and Assoc. Environmental Concepts - Design
P.O. Box 1633
Nevada City, CA 95959

Gutterglove - Gutter filters [official Harvesth2o.com partner]
4021 Alvis Ct. Suite #5
Rocklin, CA 95677
877-662-5644

Green Culture - Rain barrels
23192 Verdugo Dr., Suite D
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Hey! Tanks, LA - Design and Installation
4886 Avoca St.
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Hyphae Design Laboratory - Rainwater and Greywater Design and Installation
321 Henry St. Suite #2
Oakland, CA, 94607

Integrated Water Services, Inc. - Design and Installation
6614 Via San Blas
Pleasanton, CA 94566

KriStar Enterprises, Inc - Downspout and Inlet Filters
360 Sutton Place
Santa Rosa, CA 95407

KriStar Enterprises, Inc - Downspout and Inlet Filters
41615 Reagan Way
Murietta, CA 92562

Lifesource Water Softener - Filters
523 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

Loomis Tank Centers - Tanks
407 E. Branch St.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93421

National Storage Tank - Tanks, Pumps and Filtration Systems
4372 Sonoma Hwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Northcoast Waterworks Inc - Filtration Systems
Yountville, CA 94599

Northern California American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association - Education and Information Site

Oakville Pump Service - Pumps
Highway 29 at Walnut Dr.
Oakville, CA 94562

Oasis Design Consulting - Design
5 San Marcos Trout Club
Santa Barbara, CA 93105-9726

Ozotech, Inc – Ozone Filtration System
2401 Oberline Road
Yreka, CA 96097

PBM Supply & Mfg - Tanks
324 Meyers
Chico, CA 95928

Phoenix Pumps - Pumps
7856 Convoy Ct.
San Diego, CA 92111

Pro-Cast Products, Inc. - Concrete Inground Tanks
27417 E. Third Street
Highland, CA 92346

RainChains
8040 Remmet Avenue, Unit 7
Canoga Park, CA 91304

Rain Dance Water Systems - Filters
P.O. Box 2312
Romona, CA 92065

Rainwater HOG - Tanks
402 Redwood Avenue
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Rain for Rent - Tanks and Pumps
390 W. Kentucky Ave.
Woodland, CA 95695

Real Goods - Rain barrels and Education
13771 S. Highway 101
Hopland, CA 95449

Redwood City - Water Conservation Information
1017 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-780-7464

R.O. UltraTec USA - Filtration Systems
541 Industrial Way Suite # 1
Fallbrook, CA 92028

San Francisco - Rainbarrel Program
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
415-554-0715

San Francisco Area - Rebates and Education

Santa Monica - Water Conservation Information and Rebates
1685 Main S.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-2213

Solar Utilities Company - Design
2560 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Storm Sustainability - Design and Installation
146 E. Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 415-888-8557 Tollfree: 800-805-4880
Website: www.storm-sustainability.com

Storm Sustainability - Design and Installation
146 E. Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Superior Tank Company - Tanks
9500 Lucas Ranch Rd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

SYMliving - Rain barrels
50 Corniche Dr. #G
Dana Point, CA 92629

Tankworks - Custom Tanks
146 E. Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 415-888-8557
Website: www.tankworks.com

Topway Global - Filtration
925 W. Lambert Road #D
Brea, CA 92821

The Green Architect - Design
P.O. Box 4204
Santa Cruz, CA 95063

Tough Tech Bags - Rainwater Harvesting Systems
555 Saturn Blvd. 742
San Dieigo, CA 92154

TreePeople - Education
12601 Mulholland Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90201
818-753-4600

Watersavers - Tanks
PO Box 1684,
Laguna Beach, CA 92652

Wilson Environmental Landscape Design - Design and Installations
320 W. Carrillo, Suite D
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Window Box - Rain barrels
3821 S. Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 9005

WonderWater - Design and Installation
710 Monroe Way
Mt. Shasta, CA 96067