SD Food Policy Action Network
Graywater & Water Reclamation
Proposal: In light of the coming water restrictions, graywater system review, inspection, and approval by the city water district could either be free or subsidized to meet residential income restrictions. (The training and referral of graywater plumbing specialists would expedite the process.)
We also propose that the graywater system design be modified to allow for direct surface discharge into a mulch basin. There should be additional investment in water infrastructure for reclaimed water and incentives to business to use the reclaimed water and for residential rainwater harvesting systems.
Background Information
"Properly installed graywater systems can provide a safe drought proof supply of irrigation water and impart the environmental benefit of conserving drinking water supplies. Graywater is untreated wastewater from bathroom sinks, baths/showers and clothes washers, but not from toilets, kitchen sinks or dishwashers. California regulations allow graywater to be used for subsurface landscape irrigation on the property where it is generated. Graywater must be discharged below the ground surface and cannot surface or create muddy areas. Due to the potential for high levels of bacteria in graywater, care must be taken when installing graywater systems to eliminate any potential human contact, especially for children.
On January 1, 2008, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) adopted conditional waivers of waste discharge requirements which included specific waiver conditions for graywater systems. These waiver conditions require that graywater systems be permitted by the city, county or local agency that has jurisdiction over their installation and that the graywater system must be designed and installed at a minimum according to the California Plumbing Code Graywater Standards. The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is the Administrative Authority for the oversight and permitting of graywater systems in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Incorporated cities in San Diego County can enter into an agreement with DEH to regulate graywater systems within their jurisdiction or can implement a program of their own with approval from the RWQCB." -- from the San Diego County Environmental Health Department document on permitting and design criteria for Graywater systems
In the City of San Diego:
Rules and regulations were recently reviewed by DSD and approved by the City Council in October 2010. (They apply to single family residential buildings only.) A plumbing permit is required for all graywater systems. Exception: a clothes washer system that complies with all of the requirements, does not require a plumbing permit. (See the full DSD document here.)
On January 1, 2008, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) adopted conditional waivers of waste discharge requirements which included specific waiver conditions for graywater systems. These waiver conditions require that graywater systems be permitted by the city, county or local agency that has jurisdiction over their installation and that the graywater system must be designed and installed at a minimum according to the California Plumbing Code Graywater Standards. The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is the Administrative Authority for the oversight and permitting of graywater systems in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Incorporated cities in San Diego County can enter into an agreement with DEH to regulate graywater systems within their jurisdiction or can implement a program of their own with approval from the RWQCB." -- from the San Diego County Environmental Health Department document on permitting and design criteria for Graywater systems
In the City of San Diego:
Rules and regulations were recently reviewed by DSD and approved by the City Council in October 2010. (They apply to single family residential buildings only.) A plumbing permit is required for all graywater systems. Exception: a clothes washer system that complies with all of the requirements, does not require a plumbing permit. (See the full DSD document here.)
