Reusing Graywater
On August 25, 2011, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission approved rules that create a new statewide program for the permitting of graywater reuse and disposal systems. Graywater is wastewater collected from showers, baths, kitchen sinks and laundries. This wastewater can be used in toilettes or to irrigate gardens and landscaping. With growing concern over the energy required to make potable drinking water and many communities having limited water resources, builders are taking a look at how to conserve and reuse water within a property. Agricultural, commercial and industrial projects have been reusing water to limit their expenses for years. There is now a movement to incorporate these methods in residential housing.
Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will start accepting graywater permit applications this Spring. Three permit types are available:
Single Family homes or Duplexes with a system that produces less than 300 gallons a day will be required to use subsurface irrigation but will not be required to provide plans or system design in the application. The five year permit will cost $90. Annual fee will be waived if an annual report is submitted. There will be a $40 permit renewal fee if an annual report is not submitted. Large residential or commercial projects that have less than 1200 gallons a day will be required to submit a design plan including an Operation and Maintenance plan for approval. The initial fee will be $534 with an annual renewal fee of $50. The final option is an individual permit, which will be used in complicated projects that require DEQ substantial review time. Permits costs will vary. To learn more about DEQ's water reuse program and t he new graywater rules visit DEQ's graywater article.