Help Drafting the Rules for a Greywater Recycling Inducement Prize

[_Jake_1]

Over on another site, I’ve proposed creating an inducement prize to encourage the development of an affordable, easy-to-install greywater recycling unit. However, I don’t know enough about the technology to draft a complete set of rules.

I was hoping someone here might be able to point me in the right direction either by providing one’s own expertise or directing me to someone who might be able to help.

Thanks.

[Gfactor]

Moved from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion.

Gfactor
General Questions Moderator

[Sunspace]

In what context are you intending the unit to be used?

I know people who have built-in greywater recycling units, but the units are large planters filled with plants, and are designed into the house when it is built. The greywater units overflow into a class 2 septic system (a leach pit). Blackwater is kept strictly separate.

Are you looking for something self-contained that can be retrofitted to an existing plumbing system? I’m not sure how possible that is; whatever you do, you’ll have to separate blackwater and greywater, which will mean significant redesign of the entire plumbing system.

I believe that a traditional septic system might have a minimum flow rate for good operation as well, so if you remove all the greywater from it, you’ll have to flush the now-blackwater-only system now and then to keep the pipes clear. I could be wrong, though. (Septic systems are my next course.)

[_Jake_1]

I’m looking for specifications to describe a unit to be installed in new construction homes. Here’s what I’ve written so far:

The solution must be entirely self-contained and include all of the components necessary to filter and store 50 gallons of greywater.

The solution must automatically treat water from a home’s greywater sources so that it can safely be used for outdoor, landscaping purposes.

All user replaceable parts (filters, etc.) of the solution must be as easily accessible as practical.

To claim the prize, the claimant must demonstrate that the solution has been sold for installation in 5,000 single family residences—no more than 50% of which may be housing projects.

I think thats a okay start, but I need help with the specifics.

[Sunspace]

Some thoughts…

“Entirely self-contained”: you’ll take points off for use of external electricity supplies, such as for a pump?

Do you have any cost in mind? Any size?

Are you awarding points for simplicity or ease of repairability? I’m thinking “can be repaired with common household implements and supplies” = good; “needs custom part from overseas” = points off.

“Demonstrate that it has been sold”. Does that include “demonstrate that it works”?

[_Jake_1]

@Sunspace

“Entirely self-contained”: you’ll take points off for use of external electricity supplies, such as for a pump?

That’s exactly the reason I’m looking for outside help. That question wouldn’t have occurred to me, and I don’t know what the correct answer is.

@Sunspace

Do you have any cost in mind? Any size?

Are you awarding points for simplicity or ease of repairability? I’m thinking “can be repaired with common household implements and supplies” = good; “needs custom part from overseas” = points off.

“Demonstrate that it has been sold”. Does that include “demonstrate that it works”?

I think these are all resolved by the sales requirement. I don’t think anyone one knows what a reasonable cost or size would be. But if the manufacture was able to sell a large quantity of them, then they must be prized right and function properly and operate as the owner expects.

[JohnT]

“Loser has to drink the graywater.”

Sorry, that’s all I got.

[iamthewalrus_3]

You should probably include some standard of what “safely used for outdoor landscaping purposes”. I imagine that there are chemical tests/standards that non-potable agricultural water has to pass. I’d pick a set and include them in the rules.

[_Jake_1]

@iamthewalrus(:3=

You should probably include some standard of what “safely used for outdoor landscaping purposes”. I imagine that there are chemical tests/standards that non-potable agricultural water has to pass. I’d pick a set and include them in the rules.

That’s exactly why I’m looking for help drafting the rules. I don’t know exactly how to define what “safely used for outdoor landscaping purposes” means.

[Sunspace]

I have a sneaky feeling this will have to comply with at least fifty different sets of regulations. Do you know what jurisdictions or testing agencies will have to certify the finished unit? A prototype demo unit is one thing. But 5000 sales to get the prize? That implies an entire post-prototype design, approval, and manufacturing process.

[_Jake_1]

@Sunspace

I have a sneaky feeling this will have to comply with at least fifty different sets of regulations. Do you know what jurisdictions or testing agencies will have to certify the finished unit? A prototype demo unit is one thing. But 5000 sales to get the prize? That implies an entire post-prototype design, approval, and manufacturing process.

Much like all cars regardless of where in the United States they are sold meet California’s emissions standards, I suspect that the manufacturer of the unit will choose to meet the standard of the most stringent state. That said, there are still states where any greywater recycling remains entirely prohibited.

I chose to include a sales threshold, because it eliminates the need to specifically define what is affordable or easy-to-use. If the manufacturer is able to install 5,000 units, then it is clearly meeting the needs of the marketplace. (The 5,000 number is pulled from thin air. Someone could reasonably suggest that 500 is enough.)

[Carson_O_Genic]

@Sunspace

I believe that a traditional septic system might have a minimum flow rate for good operation as well, so if you remove all the greywater from it, you’ll have to flush the now-blackwater-only system now and then to keep the pipes clear. I could be wrong, though. (Septic systems are my next course.)

   Anecdotal FYI. My blackwater plumbing (toilets only) has never presented this problem,though I configured a solution in anticipation of it.1.5 gal/6l per flush into standard pitch line.17 years now.