EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials are ready to take applications from individuals and businesses for reusing what’s called “gray water” for irrigation.
The Eugene Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/J5UTpD ) that gray water drains from showers, tubs, sinks and washing machines and otherwise would go into a sewer system. Gray water doesn’t include water from kitchens or toilets, nor does it include garbage wastes or wastewater contaminated by soiled diapers.
Examples of gray water irrigation are gardens, lawns or golf courses. State officials say the gray water isn’t allowed to touch the edible part of food plants.
The Legislature passed a law in 2009 to set up a permit system. The Department of Environmental Quality has now finished making the rules.
