By Law Clerk Lincoln Herman
“Water Conservation Systems”
These are systems designed to capture gray water from your house. Examples of gray water are the water that flows out of your bathtub. The premise is that the water can be captured, filtered and reused for toilet flushing. The result is a measurable reduction in the amount of potable water that is used for supplying toilets. The benefit is a drastic reduction in the amount of fresh water that is used for a given structure. Specifically, the average household flushes a toilet six times per day per person. Consequently, a household of four will use just over 14,000 gallons per year for flushing toilets, assuming all of your toilets are low flow (1.6 gallons per flush). The ability to substitute the gray water for fresh water can result in not only a marked reduction in water usage but in cost savings as well. The guide also provides information about the various sizes of systems available, where to purchase the system, how to install it and how to maintain it.
The use of a water conservation system is an approved alternative to the state plumbing code requirements for supply of water to toilets. It is important to note however that complete capture of gray water is not possible at this time. This is because state law does not allow the capture of water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers due to the potentially high salts, fats, oils, food particles, and corrosive detergents content. These systems are regulated under Part II of Chapter 16 of the Plumbing Specialty Code of Oregon. More specific regulatory information concerning these systems may be found at: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/bcd/programs/plumbing/2008_opsc/Chapter_16_Pt_II.pdf.
