By Judy Moores

Kent Thompson’s “Pipe Dreams Greywater” is no longer a dream. It’s Kent’s business, and his aim is to help homeowners conserve and reuse water that would otherwise “go down the drain.”

Kent can help you plumb your bathroom sinks, showers and washing machines for landscape irrigation!  Save water and money!

So how did you get started?

“I got started by building a system for my own home in Sacramento in 2012. Then in 2014 I helped Ben Pearl, of the Solar Community Housing Association, to install the first permitted greywater system in Davis at the Cornucopia Coop. As the system was included in the renovation of an older home, it was possible to do a complete system – bathroom sinks, showers and laundry facilities.” *

“…a complete system – bathroom sinks, showers and laundry facilities…each plumbing fixture is plumbed to a separate wastewater line, which is brought outdoors and reused for landscape irrigation…We figure that homes with full systems divert about 20,000 gallons/year.”

“For such whole-house systems, each plumbing fixture is plumbed to a separate wastewater line, which is brought outdoors and reused for landscape irrigation. The water ultimately ends up in mulch basins where the water is naturally treated by soil-borne bacteria. A whole-house system is best installed when the home is being built, renovated, or sits on a raised foundation. We figure that homes with full systems divert about 20,000 gallons/year.”

Is it safe to use the water?

“Tests indicate that the water purified in this way is more effectively treated than in a waste water treatment plant. Plus it uses much less energy and chemicals.”

What are the benefits of using greywater?

{Greywater systems are} an elegant low-tech solution to the challenge of living in dry lands!”

“Grey-water systems can reduce water use by thousands of gallons a year, while watering areas of the garden and recharging local groundwater. Grey-water irrigation avoids the energy and chemical intensive conventional treatment of wastewater. It’s an elegant low-tech solution to the challenge of living in dry lands!”

What about homes that are not candidates for re-plumbing?

“Most homes can have a partial system installed for a utility room or just a washing machine. A typical family uses about 2500 gallons per year washing clothes – water that could be watering their garden. With a grey-water system, this water is diverted from their septic tank or sewer line. And the good news is that a partial system needs no city permit, takes about a day to install, and is cost-effective, too!”

“Most homes can have a partial system installed for a utility room or just a washing machine. A typical family uses about 2500 gallons per year washing clothes – water that could be watering their garden.”

So what specific systems do you install?

“I wanted to find robust systems that will stand the test of time, be environmentally friendly, and help to water landscape around a home. I use designs by greywater guru, Art Ludwig of Oasis Designs. His designs can be found for free online at oasisdesign.org.”

So how can a homeowner find out more about using grey-water?

“As each home is different, it will need a customized installation. I am pleased to offer homeowners free consultations! Contact me at KentThompson@gmx.com. Also, see my website: kentthompsondesign.com/greywater for more information about grey-water systems. I will be pleased to hear from folks.”

Welcome, Kent and your Pipe Dreams Greywater as a new partner in the Cool Davis Coalition!

* As required by law, kitchen sinks and toilets must drain directly into sewer lines or septic tanks.