Greywater Guerillas

Some of the most practical sessions at West Coast Green 2008 occurred not in the 100-seat conference rooms but in the midst of the bustling tradeshow floor, at the Demo Stage. Winner of the "Dare Greatly - Now" category was surely the Build Your Own Greywater System session presented by Laura Allen of the Greywater Guerillas.

In California, the Uniform Plumbing Code does permit residential greywater use. But the requirements are not feasible (financially or practically, especially in retrofit cases) for most homeowners. And of course renters are unlikely to get landlords to invest in costly retrofits, even with significant savings on water bills. What then can an ecologically-minded, resourceful renter or homeowner do, without running afoul of the local building department?

Enter the Guerillas, who invite you to join the Water Underground. The too-brief half hour session introduced participants to several of the most low-tech, low-cost, low-profile changes to home plumbing that individuals can make to divert waste water from sinks, showers and washing machines for beneficial uses such as flushing toilets and irrigating landscaping.

In down-to-earth terms, Allen also included some key details for success in each simple retrofit, including what can and cannot safely go down the drain, pipe sizing and materials, and where to find fittings. For those who live in the Bay Area, hands-on events are also held periodically. For aspiring guerillas out of the area, GG's website and publication do provide illustrated do-it-yourself instructions and plans.

In these days of drought, floods, and climate crisis, we can't afford to waste water by towing the modern line of rainwater-as-waste, all water in the house needing to be potable, and all water from home drains requiring treatment at a municipal plant. Literally anyone can implement the simplest of the Guerillas' suggestions; and courage is built one success at a time. Go ahead - I double-dog dare ya.