INC NEWS - Watering with Gray Water ILLEGAL?

[RW Pickle]

The Health Department regulates what we do with our waste water. And yes,
it is illegal to use it (but I won't tell...). They don't call it gray
water, it is waste... Sure seems like the plan to utilize recycled water
for other things (that the Governor has been talking about) has some
serious State-level hurdles to get over. But in concept, the idea works. I
don't see why we couldn't use the rain water we collect for somethings.
But that goes right back to what the Health Department and Housing Code
Enforcement see as a bad thing to let happen. Any recycling of water cuts
into the revenue stream that our water and sewer facilities count on in
order to build and repair the infrastructure. We start diverting that
revenue by recycling, well..., you get the picture. The price of water and
sewer will have to increase if that happens. maybe to the point of what
bottled water costs today.

Take those of us with diesel engines. We can run our vehicles on peanut
oil bought by the gallon from Costco. But in doing so, we deprive the
State their more than fifty cents in taxes they collect when we buy it at
the pump. You can even get arrested for doing something like I mention
above. Off-road diesel is much cheaper (because it has no road use taxes
included in the price), but if you get caught running it (they got smart
and added dye to it so it is a different color now), you're in a heap of
trouble. A big truck can save $100 or more on a fill-up by running the
same fuel, but with no use taxes on the price. The diesel is the same, but
the taxes make it more expensive. Truckers are regularly checked for what
fuel they have in their tanks.

So our systems are not really set up for us to save. When we do, something
along the food chain also hurts. And in the end, it always comes back to
be paid by the consumers.

RWP
27 Beverly


> Got the following from my neighborhood listserv.
>
> "Did you see the article in the N&O about it being
> illegal to use grey water from showers, dishwater,
> etc?  outside in your yard?  It actually is wastewater
> that can create bacteria, pathogens, etc.  and become
> a public health hazard.  It was a surprise to me!"
>
> If this is true, it's ridiculous. Generations before
> us have watered their plants/lawns with their gray
> water (from dishes and showers, NOT toilets).
>
> Meanwhile, fertilizers containing nitrates and
> phosphates are okay, as well as compost piles dug in
> the ground...and we can swim in Jordan lake or Eno
> River (isn't this the same contamination as a
> shower?). Not to mention the runoff from sewage
> treatment that has been observed flowing into the NE
> Creek!
>
> I would greatly appreciate some clarification on this
> matter, as I have been watering my outdoor plants with
> gray water for quite some time now.
>
> Sincere,
> Melissa Rooney
>
>
>
>
>
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