My mother in-law's house has a septic tank system. About a year ago a landscape contractor dug up the gray water line by accident. Instead of repairing it, he replaced it with an above ground line that runs under a deck and discharges above ground on property line. Where should the gray water terminate? I have been told that it should not go directly into the septic tank.
Thanks!

tickle

I see this application in our rural street area where the gray household water (wash water, dish water etc) which is not dangerous to anyone or the environment, directed by a plastic pipe into a ditch outside the home. It used to be called sullage.

Some of your States hav legalized or changed the useage of gray water so it can be redirected into the environment or used for garden watering. Oregon may be the only state, not sure.

I am having difficult making a website appear for your assistance, but if you google 'gray water standards' you may come up with a lot of information that will enlighten you.

ms tickle

ballengerb1

Where are you located? I am in Illinois, USA and we can not discharge gray water at all, everything goes to the septic tank and field.

speedball1

In my area it's against code to discharge gray water anyplace other the city sewer or a septic system. If you're discharging into a septic system you must install a grease trap to trap the grease and garbage before it gets into the drain field and prevents percolation. Gray water contains germs, grease, garbage from the disposal and lint from the washer. Is this what you want out on your front lawn or watering your veggies?? Regards, Tom

tickle

well it helps that no one in our area has garbage disposals, (may have under the sink compacters), we all compost kitchen scraps and very rarely have any wet garbage to put out, it is all sorted. The only thing I used to have venting outside were the dishwater, laundry water and bath/shower water. I live in Ontario. None of us were contagious. There doesnt seem to be any lint or garbage appearing in our ditches to rot and such. This is a pretty good ecofriendly neighbourhood.

I dont know, Tom, I am only going by town rules and my own experience before they took us off well water and septic and put us on the town line. Our ditch went into the sewer system.

You always have good advice I know that.

kindest regards,

tick

speedball1

Thanks Tick,
Different strokes,ect. If it's allowed in your area all well and good. Our code doesn't allow gray water to discharge anywhere but into a sewer or septic tank. Perhaps your gray water's nicer then our gray water. LOL. Tom