More and more people are installing greywater systems where used water from washers, tubs, showers and bathroom sinks is sent outdoors to water plants. Toilets produce “black water” not for reuse.  Kitchen sink water is labeled “blackwater” and is prohibited in some places even when greywater is allowed. A wonderful resource for learning more is Art Ludwig, who came to my town and taught a greywater harvesting class where the students actually installed two greywater systems, one from a shower, and one from a washing machine. His book is very useful.

At our house, for years now, the front yard, with its apple tree, asparagus, rhubarb, grapes, and herbs, is using greywater strictly from the kitchen, carried out in small buckets. The hose bib that I used to water from years ago is disconnected and no longer being used.  Even the birdbath has the purer waste water from the sink put into it.

For Art’s website:  http://oasisdesign.net/