Arizona residents are used to the necessity of conserving water. But when it comes to landscaping, it can be challenging to maintain a beautiful yard while also doing your part to preserve the environment. That’s why many landscapers have turned to greywater to keep their plants green and growing, especially in commercial settings. Here’s everything you need to know about using greywater in your landscaping.
What is greywater?
Greywater is defined as any wastewater that comes from your home’s laundry, showers, and bathroom faucets. While this water would not be safe to drink or to use on plants that will be consumed (like root vegetables), it’s perfectly fine to use greywater on ornamental plants, fruit and nut trees, and bushes.
How can I use it to water my landscaping?
Greywater can’t be stored like rainwater. In fact, it must be irrigated into your soil within a day of collection, or it can begin to emit an unpleasant odor. A surge tank and pump can safely hold, transport, and drain greywater into your landscaping, while a drip irrigation system can gradually release greywater to avoid erosion.
Can greywater affect my plants?
Because greywater comes from showers and bathroom faucets, you should be cognizant of the products you are washing down the drain. Certain ingredients can be harmful to your flowers and plants, including the parabens found in many shampoos and the bleach by-products used in bathroom cleaners. Be sure to read the labels on your favorite products and swap out any containing toxic ingredients. You may also be able to add a diverting option to your laundry to ensure that any water containing harmful ingredients will be transported to the sewer instead of your garden.
Our passionate team at Complete Landscaping in Tucson, AZ can help you design the perfect sustainable, conservation-friendly landscaping for your home or business. For more information on our outdoor services or to request a free estimate, call (520) 323-8918.