Treating Greywater Cost Effectively While Protecting the Public’s Health

3. States that regulate Greywater reuse for sub-surface irrigation (Hawaii, Nevada, Maine and Idaho)

The regulations for residential irrigation are very consistent with most requiring Best Management Practices and a permit. Accept for Maine, regulations do not require water quality achievements.  Key points of the regulations are:

•          Do not allow greywater to surface
•          Do not use greywater for any other use than subsurface irrigation or drip irrigation
•          The surge tank should be equipped with a three-way diversion device, connected to an approved sewage                 system
•         The surge tank should be installed with an overflow pipe, sized the same as the inlet pipe
•          Greywater generated must be used onsite
•          An approved backflow prevention is required
•          Do not use greywater to irrigate edible plants with

* For information purposes only and not meant to act as a Regulatory Guide. As regulations are subject to change, please consult your local regional and state authorities for permitting and regulations in your region.

References:

I would like to acknowledge, reference and credit the work of Dr. Sybil Sharvel and Robert Triumph Glen who’s Graywater Reuse Database provided key information relating to his article. Furthermore, I would like to credit and reference Robert Glen’s thesis on “Regulatory Issues Associated with Graywater Reuse” which proved to be incredibly helpful.

Dr. Sybil Sharvell, Colorado State University, Sybil.sharvelle@colostate.edu

Robert Triumph Glenn, Colorado State Unversity, Robert.glenn@colostate.edu “Regulatory Issues Associated with Graywater Reuse”, For the Degree of Master of Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado Summer 2012