As we move into the driest part of the growing season many gardeners are finding their supplies of water greatly limited by local regulations or it is becoming very expensive. Land developers refer to the vast quantities of water below ground, but fail to realize that we are nearly at a point where our existing population is starting to draw water from aquifers faster that it can be replaced by nature. With such a dilemma I have been suggesting that gardeners look to ways of getting double value for their water dollar. By using gray water, landscape irrigation can be maintained despite outdoor watering bans and higher water costs.
Gray water is water that can be used twice.
Using gray water can almost double home water-use efficiency and provide a water source for landscape irrigation. Avoid using cleaning and laundry products that contain boron which can be very toxic to plants, even in small amounts. Do not use artificially softened water. Softeners replace calcium and magnesium with sodium. Do not recycle drainage water from swimming pools.