Laundry-to-Landscape Systems divert your laundry rinse water directly to the landscape. The only pump is within the clothes washer itself. The only filter is the soil and the mulch basins you install. This allows for a simpler, cost-effective system that’s easier to maintain and use over the long-term.
An example parts list is provided, including how many you may need is provided on the Rebate Requirements page. Additional, fewer, or slightly different components may work better for your project. Continue reading for the most essential equipment.
Essential components include:
- Diverter (3-way) valve
- Auto vent
- Transition to the landscape side of the system
- Mulch basin (graywater outlets)
Essential Components
Full-Port Diverter (3-way) Ball Valves
- This should have the same diameter as the clothes washer's drain hose, typically 1-inch diameter.)
- 3-way valves allow you to direct graywater into either the existing sewer line or the new graywater-irrigation pipes. If you want to do a load of laundry with bleach, use the 3-way valve to send it to the sewer.
Auto Vent (or comparable equipment such as Air-Admittance Valves or In-Line Vents)
- This prevents a vacuum forming by breaking any siphon-effects in the graywater piping.
- PE (polyethylene), HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene or poly-tubing), quick-connect or locking PVC, purple reclaimed water pipe and/or PVC (Schedule 40).
- Most projects require fewer than 100-feet of tubing/PVC to carry the graywater from the clothes washer to the root zones of plants within the landscape. It should be the same diameter as your clothes washer’s washer line (typically 1”-diameter, but newer clothes washers have ¾”-diameter).
Other equipment:
- the correct PVC glue to attach the fitting to the pipe (the glue depends on the type of pipe material).
- A grade level and tape measure.
- As needed, ½-inch black poly tubing to tee to all but the final mulch basin (to prevent clogs, there must be a continuous route between the clothes washer and last mulch basin that stays the same diameter as your clothes washer’s washer line).
Where to find equipment?
- Online Vendors (See "8. Suppliers and Other Organizations" towards the bottom of the page; Greywater Action)
- Physical Stores and Other Online Vendors (Central Coast Greywater Alliance)
- Valley Water’s Landscape Resources includes lists of local irrigation supply stores, nurseries, and landscape professionals that may be able to provide additional assistance.
What about tools? Check out the PG&E Tool Lending Library. Hardware stores and some libraries also offer tool-rental or tool-lending services.