[ca-gw] Salt Build Up in the Soil

[Steve Bilson]

We have systems that are as old as 20 years.  Salts do build up in soils,
especially tight soils, but they can be mitigated with any of the products
made for that purpose.  These products are found under the brand names,
Plant's Choice, Perc, Exsodis, which are liquids and can be added to the
shower water easily.  There are surely others.  They all have the same
function and chemical composition, a nitrolized calcium.  The positive ions
in calcium counter the negative ions in salt, freeing up the water to be
absorbed via osmosis.  Just adding gypsum to the soil tends to do the same
thing.

 

Tropical plants don't like salts, so it's best not to plant those types
where greywater will be used.  But if you do, as explained above, you can
still balance the pH.

 

From: ca-standard-bounces at graywater.org
[mailto:ca-standard-bounces at graywater.org] On Behalf Of courtney miller
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 7:28 PM
To: ca-standard at graywater.org
Subject: [ca-gw] Salt Build Up in the Soil

 

HI Everyone,

 

Just recently joined the list.

 

I just heard from a landscape architect that greywater systems over time
have the effect of increasing the salt content of the soil.

That would make sense - showers and kitchen sinks. Sweat on clothing. 

 

Has anyone had a system out there long enough to make that evaluation?

I imagine that it would take a long time to have this kind of soil
degradation.

 

What's everyone's take on that?

 

Courtney Miller

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Courtney Miller, RA, LEED AP

2401 Ivy Drive/ Suite 100

Oakland, CA 94606

Tel: 415 637 8446

Email: courtney at gis.net

 

 

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