"Graywater" Recycling Units Coming to New Arizona City Homes

In a couple of years, new homes within Tucson, Ariz., city limits will come with at least part of the plumbing needed to use recycled "graywater" on landscaping.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday night that requires builders to include the waste system needed to connect to a graywater irrigation system.

Graywater includes water from bathroom sinks, laundry sinks, showers and tubs. Installing a waste system will cost about $500, according to the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

The ordinance takes effect June 1, 2010.

Supporters of the ordinance at Tuesday's public hearing included environmentalists, water conservationists and representatives of the local plumbers union.

Two mechanical engineers were the only people to speak in opposition, voicing fears that the waste systems within the home would cause clogging and burden homebuyers with another expense.

Stan Adams, a mechanical engineer who chairs the city's Mechanical Code Committee, said removing graywater from the home's waste system may cause problems with flushing solid waste from toilets, which will be separate from the graywater system.

"The ordinance sounds very politically correct," he said. "I mean who doesn't want to save water?"

But "I think there's more study that needs to be involved," Adams said.

Jay Casey, training director at Arizona Pipe Trades, said there shouldn't be any clogging as long as the work is done right.

"This idea that is being proposed is being used in several parts of the country," Casey said. "It shouldn't be a problem here in Tucson as long as it is done properly."