[ca-gw] Salt Build Up in the Soil

[Christina Bertea]

Hi Courtney,

First of all kitchen sink water is not considered graywater--and is  
not included in the code for permitted systems.  Part of the problem  
as I understand it (not having a dishwasher so I can't check the  
ingredients) is finding
dishwasher detergent that's not full of salt.

In Greywater Action (previously Greywater Guerrilla) workshops we  
always emphasize the importance of using the right laundry detergent  
when teaching homeowners how to install  "Laundry to Landscape"  
systems (which now do not require a permit).  The right detergent  
means the ones not full of "sodium (this or that-- there seem to be  
many types of sodium that get listed on the labels).  When dry  
detergents went "biodegradable" manufacturers took out the phosphates  
and fluffed them up with salts.

Generally the liquid detergents are better but the ones we recommend  
are Oasis or Ecos.  (Art Ludwig, who developed Oasis, calls it "bio- 
compatible" and says it is actually beneficial to the soil.)

So "over time" implies that your friend's impression is  based on  
systems that have been in existence for a while.  Since virtually no  
one has been getting permits because of the impossible code up until  
now, this info may be based on bootleg systems installed without  
guidance about appropriate products to use.

AND that said, yes salt buildup in the soil is a problem, not to  
minimize that fact.  We hope that minimal amounts of salt being  
delivered to the soil through greywater would be flushed out during  
our "monsoon" season.

Hope this is helpful.  Christina Bertea

On Oct 29, 2009, at 7:28 PM, courtney miller wrote:

> 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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