permaculture

["L.Santoyo Designs" <santoyo@earthflow.com>]

Marilyn,

Not sure what kind of set up you have -but greywater should never be 
stored or day-lighted.  Sound like that spot is super-saturated with 
no infiltration.  We have successfully replaced a spot like that by 
digging it out making a shallow pit -then filled with course wood 
chips (of about a cubic yard total).  With all the moisture and 
"nutrient" from the sink, the chips break down quickly, seem to 
mitigate the soap and grease well -from there they go into the garden 
-then fill the pit again with new chips -(straw would work too).

Of course, also check out the series of booklets about home-scale, 
low-tech greywater systems by Art Ludwig of Oasis Designs. 
http://www.oasisdesign.net/

For any foul odors -try splashing Lacto bacilus around the area (a 
trick we learned from Gil Carandang, Author, Indigenous 
Micro-Organisms) -you can make it easily or purchase it at health 
food store (sold as rejuvalac).


Larry

Larry Santoyo, Director
EarthFlow Design Works
805.459.0452
http://www.earthflow.com/consulting.html


> I live in a passive solar house in NM and have separate pipes for my
> greywater from the bathroom, kitchen and washing machine.   No 
> problem with the
> bathroom and washing machine greywater as I use non toxic products 
> and the water
> goes out to fruit trees.
> My kitchen is on the north side of the house and that greywater goes out to a
> shady low spot.   The kitchen greywater is gross and I have to keep diging
> sludge away.   Any suggestions?
>
> Marilyn

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