PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon environmental authorities are encouraging people to irrigate with the water drained from sinks, showers and laundry — known as graywater.
The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission on Thursday approved rules governing permits for graywater systems, which will be offered starting next spring.
The idea of using soapy water for irrigation has been around awhile, but it was prohibited in Oregon.
The Legislature approved the practice in 2009, but until now there were no rules to govern it.
Commissioner Donalda Dodson says they want to encourage as many people as possible to use graywater as a resource, instead of a waste, because of increasing demand for water.
