permaculture

[Keith Johnson <keithdj@mindspring.com>]

We've got several variants of grey water systems here at Earthaven. A 
basic form is a hole in the ground, in one specific case here three of 
the holes are 30 ft long X 5 wide X 4 deep, lined with carpet / plastic 
/ carpet sandwich and filled with alternating DIAGONAL (angle of repose) 
layers of rock gravel sand rock gravel sand rock gravel sand, etc, and 
topped with 4 inch distributor pipes from a septic system and those 
buried under more gravel, and finally planted with emergent species of 
various kinds that grow like gangbusters and need to be slashed and 
muched at least once during the growing season. Water flows, unseen 4 
inches beneath the top layer of gravel (and plants), through these and 
spills finally into a finishing pond that spills to an area which 
sub-irrigates fruit trees. This handles the greywater from a kitchen 
that feeds 20 people a day, or more, plus the shower and bath water from 
about the same number with many more during large events.

Another format is a cement block, or ferrocement, or even plywood, box 
(sized to scale, insulated in cold climates) filled with wood chips 
through which greywater trickles via horizontally sliced 4 in diam 
plastic distributor pipes with 3/4 to 1 inch holes every foot along the 
bottom. Water that flows through this can be sent to a cell like above 
or, depending on volume, sent directly to a point of use, e.g. 
trees.These boxes become a veritable jungle life which includes, as 
primary decomposers, millipedes, earthworms and pillbugs, and secondary 
species like skinks, spiders, cave crickets, etc. We've found that these 
systems need to have their chips removed and replaced every two years 
+/- and yields a non-stinking heavenly substance that is nearly 100% 
worm, millipede, pillbug castings that dissolve into water and makes 
stuff grow VERY WELL.

These systems have been in place and working quite well for 7 years.

Hope this helps.

Keith Johnson

Cochran, Jason wrote:

> Does anyone have any knowledge on how to build a grey water filter system
> using the most basic and appropiate technology possible?
>
> Thanks
>  

--
Keith Johnson
Permaculture Activist Magazine
PO Box 1209
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828)669-6336

also Patterns for Abundance Design & Consulting
Culture's Edge at Earthaven Ecovillage
http://www.permacultureactivist.net
http://www.earthaven.org
http://www.bioregionalcongress.org





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