1. A system exempted from a construction permit must be comply with the following requirements: It must be a CLOTHES WASHER system — uses only a single domestic clothes washing machine in a one- or two-family dwelling. You must be able to direct the graywater to the sewer via an easily accessible mechanism. The installation of the system does not include a potable water connection. The graywater shall be contained within an irrigation or disposal field on the site where it is generated. Ponding or runoff is prohibited. Graywater may be released above the ground surface provided at least two (2) inches of solid shield covers the release point. Contact between humans and pets shall be minimized. Water used to wash soiled or infectious garments (e.g., diapers) or containing hazardous chemicals (e.g., from washing car) shall not be used and shall be diverted to the sewer. Other systems that exceed the clothes washer system DO require a permit, even for a one- or two- family dwelling. Before you install a graywater system in any type of dwelling, please see State of California’s ‘Graywater Standards’ for complete rules (http://hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/ then click on the ‘Title 24 California Building Standards Code’ link and then the ‘Certificate of Compliance’ link). Also, local municipalities MAY enact tougher rules than the State’s so ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE YOU INSTALL. In the County of San Diego, the authority on graywater systems is the Department of Environmental Health, which can be reached at 858-495-5572. What can I do in my house? Absolutely not. Graywater systems handle water post-use. Nothing in these systems interferes with the fresh water that is delivered through your faucets and shower heads. Other Graywater systems range from putting a hose from the bathtub through the window to the garden, to a branched drain system. Some systems can be generally installed by the homeowner, others may require a plumber. Please see our website for list of plumbers and advices and tips. Will it affect my water pressure? One- and two-family dwellings - permits are NOT required for a clothes washer system. Under January 20, 2010 regulations, you can install a clothes washer graywater system without a construction permit in your one- or two-family dwelling. However, you must follow certain rules. Do I need a permit? water conservation options such as “low-flow” shower heads and toilets can be used in combination with a graywater system. Graywater is wastewater generated from laundry and bathing/showering, but NOT from the toilet. Comprising of 50-80% residential wastewater, graywater gets its name from its cloudy appearance and is neither fresh (white, or potable, water) nor heavily polluted (black, or sewage, water). Why should I be interested? Since graywater consists of at least 50% of residential water, an opportunity exists for converting this ‘wastewater’ and its nutrients into landscape use. Conserving water in this manner leads to considerable financial savings and to a more ecologically sustainable community. Environmentally, water conservation has become an important concern due to drought and limited availability of fresh water. Use of graywater will: Reduce demand on water supplies, Enhance groundwater recharge, Reduce energy use and chemical pollution due to less reliance on sewage treatment systems. Save Money, Water & The Environment What is graywater? Financial benefits: according to the California Plumbing Code, a typical three- bedroom home generates 160 gallons of graywater per day or 58,000 gallons per year. A family of four could potentially reuse 22,000 gallons of water per year from its laundry system alone, which is equal to the size of a large residential swimming pool! (hcd.ca.gov/news/release/Graywater7.31.09.pdf) Graywater Recycling

2. What should/shouldn’t I irrigate with graywater? You MAY irrigate fruit trees, ornamental trees, groundcover and lawns. You MAY NOT irrigate root or leafy vegetables or other food crops that touch the soil, for health and safety reasons. Furthermore, you MAY NOT use graywater for spray irrigation, or allow it to ‘pond’ or run-off on the ground. The discharge point of the graywater must be covered by at least 2 inches of mulch, rock, or other cover material to minimize human contact. Where can I find more information? Visit: www.sdhfes.org You will find: List of graywater devices and systems, Cost savings calculators, Advices and tips, Supplemental information on plants and soaps, List of plumbers, etc. *This pamphlet is for informational purposes only. The authors will not be held civilly liable for the use, non-use, or misuse of the information provided. Always consult a qualified, licensed plumber before working on your home’s plumbing system. What is World Usability Day? It’s about making our world work better. It’s about “Making Life Easy” and user friendly. It is an initiative from the Usability Professionals' Association (UPA) to ensure that services and products important to human life are easier to access and simpler to use. Each year, events are organized to raise awareness for the general public and train professional in the tools and issues central to good usability research, development and practice. For more information, see www.worldusabilityday.org What is San Diego Chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society? SD-HFES is a local chapter of the national professional group, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). The mission of HFES is to promote understanding and development of systems / devices that complement the human characteristics of its operators, resulting in safer work processes and more usable tools. Members of the local chapter come from many different backgrounds, including Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Human Factors, Forensics, and Computer Science. Will irrigation with graywater harm my plants? Visit the native plants section of local nurseries to view the selection. Also, most graywater contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which are nutrients that benefit plants. If possible, choose soaps that do not contain sulfites or chlorine. Plants in pots or plants that require acidic conditions -- like azaleas, rhododendrons or camellias -- would not be able to tolerate the high alkaline level on a regular basis. For these plants, graywater may cause poor (or destroyed) root and plant circulation, thus reducing the plant’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Alkaline conditions may also cause leaf burn. Thus, watering alternately with graywater and fresh water is recommended. Supplemental information on plants and soaps, visit: www.sdhfes.org Graywater is highly alkaline due to the basic nature of soaps and cleaning chemicals. Neutral water has a pH of 7.0 and San Diego’s municipal water supply runs over 8.0, yet graywater can have pH over 9.0. Therefore, it is best used on established plants that can handle alkaline conditions. Fortunately, this includes many of our coastal California natives as well as desert plants.