Re: [COMGAR ] Greywater systems

Grey water systems are denied in most counties. However, Rice county requires them for some people with septic systems. A friend of mine built a new home there and we were both happily surprised that they required one in the new home. 

I am pretty sure Minneapolis will not be grey water friendly. In some cases some people have used a straight pipe and not treated their water through a sand gravel or filter garden. The same goes for collecting and using rain water in the house.  They do not want the potable city water system corrupted with questionable water from a "uncontrolled"  source. Waterless toilets are also illegal in Minnesota by way of the plumbers union.

On the other hand there are many grey water systems off the radar. In my area as long as no one complains or sees it, you are fine. 

In our old neighborhood, you couldn't even have a clothes line.  

I would like to see a list of actions based on that progression.

Compost

Worm Bin

Clothes Line

?

Rain Garden Swales to Lawn and Garden

?

Grey Water System to Garden and Urban Orchard

?

Rain Water System to Washer &Toilets

?

Black Water System to peat filter and digester.

?

All this has great use on the landscape and in food production, but this is past gardening, it integrates the people with the landscape and the natural harvest that is available on the entire property.

Dan Halsey

SouthWoods Forest Gardens

Southwoodsforestgardens.blogspot.com

Spring Lake Township, Minnesota

On Jun 8, 2010, at 9:57 AM, Heidi Huebner wrote:

Does anyone have experience trying to get a permit for building a greywater system in Minneapolis?  I just got off the phone with both the city and state plumbing offices and they say it is not approved in our state.  I would need to apply for a variance to the current code and potentially be a pilot for approving it statewide.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Heidi Huebner