California s greywater code is found in chapter 15 of the california plumbing code cpc as of 2017 previously it was in chapter 16.
Grey water system design california.
Without altering household plumbing one bit this gravity based system redirects water from the washing machine into a basic yard irrigation system.
In fact greywater action suggests keeping greywater systems as simple as possible.
The new code allows simple laundry to landscape systems without a permit but requires permits and inspections for most greywater systems.
I will explain why after listing the major points of the code.
Take the laundry to landscape system for example.
No pumps no machinery and virtually no maintenance.
Wasteful practices and actively discourage best management practices.
Unfortunately many sections of the code encourage inefficient i e.
Gain a complete understanding of the history and realities of california greywater use not just the one in 10 000 systems that were built with permits but the other 1 7 million existing systems get a complete view of the risks and benefits of greywater reuse.
The california water code section 14877 defines a greywater system as a system and devices attached to the plumbing system for the sanitary distribution or use of greywater the california plumbing code specifically title 24 sets the regulatory standards for plumbing and installations of greywater systems.
A gray water system uses gray water for subsurface irrigation and may include tanks valves filters pumps or other appurtenances along with piping and receiving landscape.
Under the current code washing machine systems can be constructed without a permit in single family homes 1 or 2 units so long as 13 guidelines are followed see below.
A graywater system is a type of onsite wastewater treatment system that utilizes trenches subsurface drip irrigation systems and mulch basins for wastewater disposal but can have the added benefit of using the wastewater as a subsurface irrigation source.