Alternatives that stretch water resources

Following the recent drought, the California Building Standards Committee adopted a bill that allows simple residential grey water systems to be legally installed.

Alternative resources like grey water and rainwater catchment systems can reduce water consumption, decrease the load on sewer systems, and provide alternative water sources for landscape.

Grey water is untreated waste water from clothes washers, showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, and laundry tubs used for outdoor watering. About half of the water used indoors -- or about 30 gallons per person per day from appropriate grey water sources -- can be used for landscape irrigation. Wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks or dishwashers is not allowed in California.

Harvesting rainwater --usually by attaching some kind of storage system to rain gutter spouts -- is also gaining interest. Many believe the semi-arid climate in Contra Costa County is less-than-ideal for storing and using rainwater, but many people are looking into these systems.