Most Grey water (reclamation systems) are illegal in Canada. Check with your local code. Rain Harvesting however is legal everywhere in Canada and can be used for your plants, Washing Machine, and flushing toilets.

Most Grey water (reclamation systems) are illegal in Canada. Check with your local code. Rain Harvesting however is legal everywhere in Canada and can be used for your plants, Washing Machine, and flushing toilets.

Thank you. Good thing I didn't try to start building one myself

There is a really good article on Mother Earth news that I can't seem to find right now. It diverted the water from the washing machine to fruit trees nearby. I remember the article said to not store the greywater because it contained microscopic particles of bad things that could make you sick (hows that for tech talk!)

There is a really good article on Mother Earth news that I can't seem to find right now. It diverted the water from the washing machine to fruit trees nearby. I remember the article said to not store the greywater because it contained microscopic particles of bad things that could make you sick (hows that for tech talk!)

I have designed a plan on how to get the grey water into a storage tank. From there it runs through a filter and can then be used for watering plants. My problem as been the storage tank. Short of digging up part of my basement, I don't see how I can do it.

I will see if I can find it on Mother Earth

I have seen large golf courses in the states do filtration of grey water from surrounding communities for the purpose of irrigation and honestly it is a very in depth process and quite costly as the soap when sitting will start to gel and could clog a pump that is used to distribute it. Secondly, I would bury it in the back yard as to avoid any foul odors from entering your house. If you are ably to go it I would not even filter it if it comes from your washing machine. change to a biodegradable soap and pump it straight out and use a diverter to water different areas. Most modern washing machines are efficient enough that one load is only enough water for one tree at the most anyways. Just some thoughts. keep us posted on what you do!

If you intend to use supermarket washing powders/liquids be very careful - salinity is a big issue with greywater reuse (you need to research the best product with low everything including phosphates etc) Your Greywater will probably will need to be filtered by several reed beds before it hits your garden to reduce the impact on your soil and the worms. I'm with Anita on the "don't store it because of the bad things that can make you sick".

Handy little booklet about grey water reuse - just remember the legislation will be different in Canada.
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs74.html